Health System Methods to Improve Nursing Retention Amidst Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic: a Mixed Method Study

NCT05269277 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 21-4768
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is a mixed-method exploratory study with the aim to determine an objective compensation or mechanism of support from a healthcare system standpoint to aid in retention of nursing staff amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It will include semi-structured qualitative interviews of current and prior nursing staff from the Trauma/Surgical floor, Progressive Care Unit, and ICU, in addition to Trauma/Surgical unit and system administrators; the second portion of the study will include a quantitative survey distributed via email to current nurses on the Trauma/Surgical floor, Progressive Care Unit, and ICU to assess ranked priority of additional mechanisms of support to improve intention of retention.

Conditions

Motivational Factors for Nurse Retention; Nurse Well-being

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Identify a common mechanism or implementation to improve intention of retention or nurses amongst the Trauma/Surgical units amidst COVID-19

  The goal is to identify a common theme amongst nurses on the Trauma/Surgical units regarding a means of compensation or action item from the healthcare system to improve intention of retention amidst ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Obtaining this is two-fold, to include qualitative interviewing with nurses on the affected units first-hand with subsequent transcription and coding to identify common themes; and a widely distributed quantitative survey to assess ranked priorities to implement to improve intention of retention.

  24 months

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Commonly-identified challenges nurses are facing on a Trauma/Surgical unit during COVID-19

  24 months

• Commonly-identified support mechanisms implemented by the healthcare system that have aided in intention of retention of nurses on a Trauma/Surgical unit during COVID-19

  24 months

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants for the qualitative interviews will include current bedside nursing and clinical administrative staff at UCHealth - Medical Center of the Rockies on the Trauma/Surgical floor, the Surgical Progressive Care Unit, and the Surgical ICU. Other participants will also include prior nurses who have left their job on these respective units in the prior 24 months. Registered nurses, men and women, day-time and night-time nurses, full-time versus part-time nurses, and those with variable lengths of experience will be incorporated who have been or are currently involved with direct patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The quantitative survey will be distributed to all current nurses on the above listed units.

You may qualify if:

• Registered nurses on the Trauma/Surgical floor, Surgical Progressive Care Unit, or Surgical ICU who are currently working or who have worked bedside in the past 24 months
• Adult hospital administrative staff

You may not qualify if:

• Non-Registered nurses (ie. CNAs, LPNs)
• RNs without clinical bedside experience in the past 24 months
• RNs working on other units beside the Trauma/Surgical floor, Surgical Progressive Care Unit, or Surgical ICU

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Poudre Valley Health System: lead

Study Sites (1)

UCHealth - Medical Center of the Rockies

Loveland, Colorado, 80538, United States

Location

Study Officials

• Claire Aksamit

  University of Colorado Health

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 1, 2022
• First Posted: March 7, 2022
• Study Start: February 23, 2022
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: June 8, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Locations

US (1)