Staff retention: employers advised to listen more to nurses

New guidance on staff retention from NHS Improvement encourages employers to listen to nurses and engage and empower staff and look closely at their development and career planning

Essential facts

As nurse numbers decline, the retention of staff takes on greater importance for the NHS. Last year the RCN said there were 40,000 nursing vacancies in England alone, and the nursing register is shrinking. While NHS organisations focus on recruitment it is also important that new and existing staff are supported and encouraged to stay with employers.

What’s new

Practical guidance on staff retention from NHS Improvement encourages employers to listen to nurses.

The guidance, based on best practice from 75 trusts across England, urges organisations to engage and empower staff and look closely at staff development and career planning.

It calls on employers to standardise