Korea’s nurse turnover 3X industry average

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South Korea: A recent survey on the working conditions of nurses conducted by the National Health and Medical Labor Union reported the turnover rate of nurses has reached 15.2%. Compared to similar survey findings in other industries, it was found to be three times higher than the average turnover rate, which is 4.9%.

In particular, the survey found that more than half of the nurses who left their jobs did so within the first three years of their employment, accounting for 66.54% of the job leavers. The percentage can be broken down as such: 37.15% within the first year; 16.96% in the second; and 12.42% in the third.

The survey also grouped the job leavers into separate categories, according to their length of service and skill level. It found the lower skilled group (1-5 year tenure) accounted for 42% ; followed by middle-skilled workers (6-10 years) at 28.6%; and high-skilled workers (11-20 years) at 21.1%.

The survey also looked at the nurses’ disposition towards their jobs. It found that more than 80% of those currently spending their 3^rd to 10^th year with the organization, who have contemplated switching jobs in the last three months, cite ‘low wages’ as a secondary concern. 

This result reflects another finding that suggests many nurses felt there were too many patients under their care.

While the average number of patients per nurse currently stands at 15.2 per day, the survey found that it was deemed too high by the majority of nurses. Asked for their optimal daily patient number, 44.7% of the nurses responded ‘6-10 patients’, while 8.1% selected ‘11-15 patients’.