Relationship between Training Effectiveness and Employee Retention Intention with the Mediating Effect of Job Satisfaction: Study of Nurse Trainees of a Private Hospital in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Employee retention has become a business priority in today’s VUCA world where sustainability of an organization in business is assured with the retention of well trained and highly skilled employees. One industry that suffers globally due to the turnover of the qualified as well as trainees, is healthcare. High turnover of nursing students being a critical issue at a particular Nurses training school, this study investigated in to the relationship between training effectiveness and retention intention of nursing students mediated by job satisfaction. The study adapted the quantitative research approach and questionnaires were used to collect data. A census survey was planned with a sample size of 298 Student Nurses. Coefficient, Correlation and Regression analysis were used to examine data gathered. The study revealed that there is a strong and positive relationship between training effectiveness, job satisfaction and retention intention. As per the regression analysis, job satisfaction has a fully mediating effect on the relationship between training effectiveness and retention intentions of nursing students. One significant finding was that Training Effectiveness and Job Satisfaction were found to be the only variables that could impact Retention Intention of Nursing students. Even if there could be other variables that could have an impact upon Retention Intention, they are statistically insignificant as per this particular study. Key recommendations will be conducting an As-Is study with the same audience keeping the findings of this study as a bench mark and initiate steps to bridge the gap, incorporating discussions of modern findings, revisit existing teaching methods, incorporation of high-fidelity stimulation activities, implementing an empowering education model and re-audit to assess the impact after the implementation of above mentioned recommendations.