Define 'staff retention' in the context of nursing management.

In the context of nursing management, staff retention refers to the ability of an organization to keep its employees over time. This encompasses various strategies and practices aimed at maintaining a stable workforce, which is crucial for delivering consistent patient care, ensuring a cohesive team environment, and minimizing the costs associated with turnover such as recruiting and training new staff. Retaining qualified nurses leads to better continuity of care, enhances patient satisfaction, and often improves the overall morale and productivity of the entire healthcare team.

Other options, while related to staffing, do not accurately capture the essence of staff retention. For instance, the rate of hiring new staff speaks to recruitment levels, the evaluation of staff performance pertains to performance management, and the process for recruiting new nurses focuses specifically on filling positions rather than maintaining long-term employment relationships. Staff retention specifically highlights the ongoing commitment of both the organization and its employees to foster an environment conducive to remaining with the organization for an extended period.