BACKGROUND: Globally, there are serious human and financial costs associated with registered nurse (RN) turnover. Anticipating turnover before turnover occurs is important to prevent costly and unnecessary turnover. Using a reliable and valid measure of anticipated turnover is essential to credible healthcare research on which nursing policy decisions are based. This meta-analysis provides a systematic way to determine the legitimacy of the use of the Anticipated Turnover Scale (ATS) in RN workforce research. AIMS: The aims of this meta-analysis were to determine the consistency of reliability estimates and evidence of construct validity of ATS scores across studies of RNs in the US. A secondary purpose was to evaluate variability in reliability and validity according to study quality, century within which studies were conducted and whether studies were published or unpublished. METHODS: Search strategies included accessing computerized databases, emailing researchers, consulting experts, footnote-chasing and accessing unpublished reports. Two independent reviewers examined studies according to inclusion criteria and quality. Consensus was reached on selected studies and quality ratings. RESULTS: Overall mean weighted effect size (MWES) of reliability from 12 studies was 0.89. Overall MWES of validity correlating the ATS and four job satisfaction measures for seven studies was -0.53. There was variability in reliability according to quality of studies. CONCLUSION: The ATS demonstrated excellent reliability and construct validity across studies of RNs in the US. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing management should consider the ATS in research on prevention of RN turnover.
BACKGROUND: Globally, there are serious human and financial costs associated with registered nurse (RN) turnover. Anticipating turnover before turnover occurs is important to prevent costly and unnecessary turnover. Using a reliable and valid measure of anticipated turnover is essential to credible healthcare research on which nursing policy decisions are based. This meta-analysis provides a systematic way to determine the legitimacy of the use of the Anticipated Turnover Scale (ATS) in RN workforce research. AIMS: The aims of this meta-analysis were to determine the consistency of reliability estimates and evidence of construct validity of ATS scores across studies of RNs in the US. A secondary purpose was to evaluate variability in reliability and validity according to study quality, century within which studies were conducted and whether studies were published or unpublished. METHODS: Search strategies included accessing computerized databases, emailing researchers, consulting experts, footnote-chasing and accessing unpublished reports. Two independent reviewers examined studies according to inclusion criteria and quality. Consensus was reached on selected studies and quality ratings. RESULTS: Overall mean weighted effect size (MWES) of reliability from 12 studies was 0.89. Overall MWES of validity correlating the ATS and four job satisfaction measures for seven studies was -0.53. There was variability in reliability according to quality of studies. CONCLUSION: The ATS demonstrated excellent reliability and construct validity across studies of RNs in the US. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing management should consider the ATS in research on prevention of RN turnover.