Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Related

Review Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing related questions and content

Hospitals surveyed nurses who terminated their employment to determine why they chose to leave. One of the most common reasons for leaving was:

  • A. decreased pay for alternative shifts.
  • B. that the nurse/patient ratio prevents safe care.
  • C. that most facilities are choosing an all-RN staff, which decreases opportunities for advancement.
  • D. that agency and foreign nurses are favored by administration over full-time nursing staff.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: that the nurse/patient ratio prevents safe care. This answer is correct because inadequate nurse/patient ratios have been consistently identified as a major factor contributing to nurse dissatisfaction and burnout. When nurses are responsible for too many patients, they are unable to provide safe and effective care, leading to increased stress and job dissatisfaction.

Explanation of other choices:
A: Decreased pay for alternative shifts: While decreased pay may be a concern for some nurses, it is not typically cited as one of the most common reasons for leaving a position.
C: Most facilities are choosing an all-RN staff, which decreases opportunities for advancement: While this may be a concern for some nurses, it is not as universally impactful as unsafe nurse/patient ratios.
D: Agency and foreign nurses are favored by administration over full-time nursing staff: While favoritism may be an issue in some cases, it is not typically cited as one of the most common reasons for nurses leaving their employment.