Sign UpLogin With Facebook
Sign UpLogin With Google

Free Nurse Retention Survey

50+ Expert Crafted Nurse Retention Survey Questions

Measuring nurse retention helps you pinpoint the factors that keep your nursing staff engaged, improving patient care and cutting costly turnover. A nurse retention survey is a targeted questionnaire that uncovers job-satisfaction drivers, workplace culture insights, and career development needs - so you can act on real feedback. Download our free template preloaded with example nurse retention survey questions or build a fully customized survey with our online form builder.

Please rate your overall job satisfaction.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly disagreeStrongly agree
The workload in my unit is manageable.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly disagreeStrongly agree
Professional development opportunities meet my needs.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly disagreeStrongly agree
I feel recognized and valued by my supervisors and peers.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly disagreeStrongly agree
In the past year, have you considered leaving our organization?
Yes
No
Which factor most influences your decision to stay at this organization?
Work-life balance
Compensation and benefits
Professional development opportunities
Management support
Team dynamics
Other
Please provide any suggestions you have for improving nurse retention.
How many years of nursing experience do you have?
Less than 1 year
1-3 years
4-6 years
7-10 years
More than 10 years
Which age range are you in?
Under 25
25-34
35-44
45-54
55 or older
What type of unit or department do you primarily work in?
Medical-Surgical
Emergency
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Pediatrics
Other
{"name":"Please rate your overall job satisfaction.", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Please rate your overall job satisfaction., The workload in my unit is manageable., Professional development opportunities meet my needs.","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Trusted by 5000+ Brands

Logos of Poll Maker Customers

Top Secrets to Crafting a Nurse Retention Survey That Actually Works

Your nurse retention survey sets the stage for real change. By asking the right questions, you'll uncover what keeps your team motivated and what drives them away. A focused survey can boost satisfaction, reduce turnover, and build stronger leadership bonds. Think of it as the first step in a proactive retention strategy.

Start by defining clear objectives: Are you measuring job satisfaction, work environment, or professional growth? Mix simple rating scales with open-ended prompts for richer feedback. For detailed design tips, see Developing Effective Nurse Retention Surveys: A Guide. Keep your survey concise - nurses appreciate brevity on a busy shift.

At Mercy Hospital, the team ran a quick poll on scheduling needs before launching their main survey. That small step clarified key concerns and boosted response rates by 20%. Scenario testing like this helps you spot blind spots and craft more relevant questions.

Try these sample questions: "What do you value most about your professional development opportunities?" and "How satisfied are you with your current shift scheduling flexibility?" Balance closed-end items with a couple of open fields. For inspiration beyond nursing, explore our Employee Retention Survey library for proven question formats.

Citing real research builds trust. According to Nurse Retention: A Review of Strategies and Factors Influencing Retention on NCBI, job satisfaction and work environment drive retention. Use these insights to shape a survey that delivers actionable results.

3D voxel art depicting online nurse retention survey concept on a dark blue background.
3D voxel art depicting online nurse retention surveys on a dark blue background.

5 Must-Know Tips to Avoid Pitfalls in Your Nurse Retention Survey

Even the best nurse retention survey can miss the mark if you overlook common mistakes. Skipping clear goals, ignoring context, or piling on too many questions can frustrate staff and skew data. Keep your focus sharp: every question should serve your main objective.

Tip 1: Don't overload. Aim for 15 - 20 well-crafted items. Long surveys lead to drop-offs. Tip 2: Steer clear of jargon or vague wording - nurses need clarity under pressure. A concise format respects their time and delivers higher response rates.

Tip 3: Include work environment factors. The Impact of Work Environment on Nurse Retention: A Systematic Review shows leadership style and staffing levels correlate strongly with turnover. Ask, "How well does leadership support your team's workload?" to catch early warning signs.

Tip 4: Pilot test your questions. At Green Valley Clinic, a small trial revealed confusing scale labels that would have skewed results. A quick review session with five nurses ensured clarity before full launch. Tip 5: Follow up on feedback - closing the loop fosters trust.

Finally, don't ignore organizational support. Research from Nurse Retention and Job Satisfaction: The Role of Organizational Support points out that recognizing staff needs boosts loyalty. Share key findings, then collaborate on solutions. For more survey ideas, check our Nursing Survey resources.

Nurse Retention Survey Questions

This section focuses on understanding factors that influence nurses' decisions to stay with an organization, including workplace culture, career development, and well-being. Insights here can guide targeted improvements in staffing and satisfaction across your Nursing Survey .

  1. How satisfied are you with your current work-life balance?

    This question identifies if scheduling and shift patterns align with personal needs. Adequate balance is crucial for reducing burnout and improving retention.

  2. How would you rate the effectiveness of your manager's support?

    Evaluates leadership engagement, which directly impacts job satisfaction. Strong support systems help nurses feel valued and heard.

  3. How clear are your career advancement opportunities?

    Assesses transparency around promotions and skill development. Clarity in progression paths encourages long-term commitment.

  4. How valued do you feel for your clinical skills and expertise?

    Measures recognition of professional competence. Feeling valued boosts morale and loyalty.

  5. Rate the adequacy of resources provided for patient care.

    Examines whether staffing, equipment, and materials meet care standards. Proper resources reduce stress and turnover.

  6. How often do you receive constructive feedback?

    Feedback frequency influences growth and engagement. Regular coaching sessions support professional development.

  7. How satisfied are you with your current compensation package?

    Compensation is a key retention driver for healthcare workers. Gauging satisfaction helps benchmark against industry rates.

  8. How comfortable are you voicing concerns or suggestions?

    Explores psychological safety in the workplace. Open communication channels are vital for continuous improvement.

  9. How would you describe the quality of team collaboration?

    Assesses camaraderie and support among peers. Strong teamwork fosters a positive work environment.

  10. How likely are you to recommend our facility as a workplace to peers?

    This Net Promoter - style question predicts retention and employer branding. High recommendation scores correlate with lower turnover.

Nursing Retention Survey Questions

This category explores day-to-day work experiences and support for nursing staff, aiming to identify operational improvements and enhance staff engagement. Responses here inform strategies for your Stay Survey and daily practice enhancements.

  1. How manageable is your patient load on average?

    Patient-to-nurse ratio affects stress levels and safety. Balanced loads are essential for quality care and retention.

  2. How satisfied are you with your unit's staffing levels?

    Understaffing can lead to burnout and job dissatisfaction. Appropriate staffing boosts performance and longevity.

  3. How effective are interdisciplinary collaborations on your team?

    Cross-functional support improves patient outcomes and workplace cohesion. Strong collaboration reduces frustration and isolation.

  4. How clear are your job responsibilities and expectations?

    Role clarity minimizes conflict and confusion. Well-defined duties support confidence and retention.

  5. How supported do you feel when handling difficult patient interactions?

    Emotional and peer support is critical in high-stress environments. Adequate backing reduces turnover risk.

  6. How accessible are professional development resources?

    Continuing education opportunities encourage skill growth. Accessible training keeps staff motivated and loyal.

  7. How satisfied are you with the recognition you receive for your work?

    Acknowledgment of achievements drives motivation. Regular recognition is linked to stronger retention.

  8. How regularly does leadership communicate organizational changes?

    Timely updates reduce uncertainty and build trust. Transparent communication helps staff feel included.

  9. How confident are you in advancing to leadership roles?

    Perceived promotion fairness influences ambition and retention. Confidence in growth paths fosters loyalty.

  10. How likely are you to stay with the organization for the next two years?

    Directly measures intent to remain, identifying retention risks early. Follow-up actions can be planned based on responses.

Physician Retention Survey Questions

While focused on nurse staffing, comparing insights from physician retention helps refine cross-professional retention strategies in your Retention Survey . Strong alignment across roles fosters a cohesive workplace.

  1. How aligned do you feel with the organization's mission and values?

    Mission alignment drives professional commitment. Shared values reduce turnover across clinical teams.

  2. Rate your satisfaction with clinical autonomy in your role.

    Autonomy supports professional judgment and job fulfillment. Higher autonomy often correlates with retention.

  3. How fair do you find the compensation relative to your workload?

    Fair pay for responsibilities is key to job satisfaction. Equity in compensation reduces departure intentions.

  4. How effective are mentorship and coaching programs?

    Mentorship fosters skill development and integration. Structured support improves retention for all clinicians.

  5. How satisfied are you with administrative support for patient care?

    Administrative burdens can hinder clinical focus. Adequate support frees time for direct care.

  6. How clear are the criteria for performance evaluations?

    Transparent evaluations reduce anxiety and align expectations. Clarity supports continuous improvement.

  7. How satisfied are you with opportunities to lead new initiatives?

    Leadership opportunities boost engagement and ownership. Encouraging initiative fosters loyalty.

  8. How would you rate work-related stress levels?

    Chronic stress is a major turnover driver. Monitoring stress informs well-being interventions.

  9. How confident are you in balancing clinical and administrative duties?

    Balance between patient care and paperwork affects satisfaction. Effective workload management improves retention.

  10. How likely are you to recommend our organization to other physicians?

    A physician's endorsement reflects overall satisfaction. High recommendation intent aligns with lower turnover.

Recruitment and Retention Survey Questions

This block combines hiring and retention topics to help evaluate onboarding processes, career pathways, and long-term satisfaction in your Employment Survey . Seamless transitions from recruitment to retention drive workforce stability.

  1. How clear was the information you received during onboarding?

    Effective onboarding sets expectations and reduces early turnover. Clear communication builds confidence from day one.

  2. How supported did you feel during your first 90 days?

    Initial support impacts a new hire's decision to stay. Structured guidance encourages integration.

  3. How satisfied are you with the training you received for your role?

    Adequate training is essential for competence and comfort. Proper preparation reduces job-related anxiety.

  4. How aligned are the job responsibilities with the job description?

    Role consistency prevents early frustration. Alignment supports trust in organizational promises.

  5. How accessible are company resources for professional growth?

    Growth opportunities encourage long-term engagement. Visible pathways reduce mid-career turnover.

  6. How fair and transparent is our promotion process?

    Fairness in promotions strengthens morale. Transparency fosters a sense of equity.

  7. How satisfied are you with internal communication channels?

    Clear communication drives employee engagement. Effective channels reduce misinformation and disengagement.

  8. How valued do you feel after providing feedback in surveys?

    Closing the feedback loop builds trust. Demonstrating action on feedback increases retention.

  9. How confident are you in your current career trajectory?

    Perceived career stability is a prime retention factor. Confidence in advancement paths encourages commitment.

  10. How likely are you to stay beyond your initial contract term?

    Measures intent to remain after mandatory periods. Early detection of attrition risks allows proactive outreach.

Public Service Nurse Retention Survey Questions

Tailored to nurses working in public service, this category addresses resource constraints, policy environment, and community impact to improve retention in the public sector. Data here informs your Employee Retention Survey strategy for government and nonprofit settings.

  1. How adequate are the staffing levels in your public service unit?

    Public institutions often face staffing shortages. Proper staffing levels are vital to job satisfaction.

  2. How supported do you feel in navigating regulatory requirements?

    Frequent policy changes can create confusion. Support for compliance reduces stress and turnover.

  3. How clear are the career advancement paths in your department?

    Public sector promotions may be rigid. Clarity in pathways encourages retention despite systemic constraints.

  4. How satisfied are you with the availability of community health initiatives?

    Engagement in public programs can enhance professional fulfillment. Opportunities for community impact support long-term service.

  5. How well does leadership communicate policy changes?

    Timely updates on new regulations reduce uncertainty. Effective communication supports workforce stability.

  6. How valued do you feel by your agency or department?

    Recognition in public service boosts morale. Feeling appreciated mitigates bureaucratic frustrations.

  7. How comfortable are you raising concerns about public health challenges?

    Encouraging open dialogue improves service delivery. Safety in speaking up reduces job stress.

  8. How adequate is the training for emergency and disaster response?

    Public service roles often involve crisis management. Proper training enhances confidence and commitment.

  9. How satisfied are you with the benefits package for public sector nurses?

    Benefits can offset lower salaries in public service. Competitive packages support retention.

  10. How likely are you to continue working in public service nursing?

    Measures long-term commitment to community roles. High intent signals effective retention strategies.

Healthcare Employee Retention Survey Questions

Designed for all healthcare staff, this section measures cross-disciplinary factors like interdepartmental collaboration, job flexibility, and organizational recognition. Use insights from our Healthcare Employee Survey to unify retention approaches across roles.

  1. How effective is communication between your department and others?

    Interdepartmental coordination affects workflow efficiency. Strong communication reduces frustration and fosters teamwork.

  2. How satisfied are you with the flexibility of your work schedule?

    Schedule flexibility is increasingly important for staff well-being. Offering options can improve retention.

  3. How supported do you feel when dealing with high-stress situations?

    Emotional support systems are critical in healthcare. Adequate backing reduces burnout rates.

  4. How clear are your organization's patient safety expectations?

    Clear safety protocols impact job comfort and quality of care. Well-defined standards bolster confidence.

  5. How valued do you feel for nonclinical contributions (e.g., mentorship)?

    Recognizing all contributions enhances engagement. Inclusion of varied roles supports holistic retention.

  6. How adequate are the technological tools provided for your role?

    Outdated or insufficient tools hinder performance. Investing in tech improves efficiency and job satisfaction.

  7. How often do you have opportunities for cross-training?

    Cross-training fosters skill diversity and interdepartmental understanding. Varied experiences increase retention.

  8. How satisfied are you with recognition programs for staff achievements?

    Formal recognition strengthens morale and loyalty. Programs that highlight successes reduce turnover.

  9. How confident are you in leadership's vision for the organization?

    Trust in leadership's direction encourages employee commitment. Clear vision aligns staff with organizational goals.

  10. How likely are you to recommend our healthcare organization to peers?

    Peer recommendations reflect overall satisfaction and culture. High recommendation intent indicates strong retention prospects.

FAQ