Abstract
Growing concerns regarding the retention of nurses continues to escalate as a worldwide shortage loom closer. For decades, many nurses have struggled with the impact of shift work, causing physical ailments and the adverse effects on mental wellbeing. This can bring job dissatisfaction and poor work life balance for nurses. In turn, this can lead to nurses choosing to leave the profession.
This integrative review investigates the impact rostering has on nurses and their willingness to remain within the profession. Effective rostering practices may help nurses to counteract the adverse effects of shift work, enabling increased wellbeing, both physically and psychologically. Understanding this impact, can help healthcare organisations and nurse managers understand the importance of effective rostering has on the overall wellbeing of nurses.
Studies from past decades indicate self-rostering can help with retention of nurses, yet this is not a universal system. This review explains flexible rostering can suit nurses, but a consideration of the needs of healthcare organisations and the communities they serve, also needs to be addressed. Aspects of managerial and collegial support, health, salary, age, and work life balance all factor into the ability to undertake shift work for nurses. Rosters play a part in job satisfaction and work life balance, in turn, retaining nurses and their experience to the profession.