Supportive workplaces key to retaining experienced NHS nurses, study finds
A new large-scale survey of NHS nurses by the University of Southampton and the University of Portsmouth has revealed what matters most to them.
A substantial study conducted by the University of Southampton and the University of Portsmouth has uncovered the key factors that influence whether experienced NHS nurses remain in their positions. The research, which involved almost 2,000 nurses aged 45 to 54, reveals that workplace culture and daily working conditions are among the most significant determinants of their career decisions.
The findings, published in the journal Health Policy, emphasize that retaining experienced nurses is crucial, as they are essential for maintaining safe patient care, preserving valuable expertise, and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.
The study highlights that the ageing NHS nurse workforce, with around half of nurses being 45 or older, and those with over 20 years of experience being among the most likely to leave or retire early, necessitates immediate attention. Improved team collaboration, compassionate leadership training, flexible working opportunities, and reduced workload pressures through safe staffing levels and fewer administrative demands are recommended to retain experienced nurses.
The researchers stress that these improvements should form a central part of efforts to keep experienced staff, complementing broader workforce and financial measures.
Dr. Zoé Ejebu, a lead author from the University of Southampton, stated that experienced nurses are vital for mentoring the next generation and that improving team culture and leadership is essential to prevent their early departure. Professor Shabbar Jaffry of the University of Portsmouth emphasized the global challenge of retaining experienced nurses and the importance of creating supportive work environments where nurses feel valued and capable of delivering high-quality care.
This research underscores that investing in workplace culture, leadership, flexible working, and manageable workloads, alongside recruitment and fair pay, is vital for the long-term sustainability of the NHS workforce.
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