Retention of radiographers: A qualitative exploration of factors influencing decisions to leave or remain within the NHS

Degree apprenticeships for the radiography profession; are clinical departments ready?

“…This research corroborated the benefits of DA for employers including increased local recruitment and retention through enhanced staff loyalty to improve service provision 2 . This is pertinent for radiography considering staff retention challenges 29 and historical high course attrition rates 30 . It is imperative apprentices do not become disengaged with their studies because of feeling isolated from university life [31][32][33] .…”

Retention of radiographers in the NHS: Influencing factors across the career trajectory

“…6,10 However high vacancy rates are not only a consequence of early retirements; radiographers may divert their careers to the independent sector or leave the profession to pursue other life choices. 11 To better understand this leaver profile, this qualitative study aimed to identify why radiographers leave the NHS early, and what incentives are important in their decision to stay. 11 In an earlier publication, Nightingale et al (2021) identified three over-arching factors influencing these decisions (Fig.…”

“…11 To better understand this leaver profile, this qualitative study aimed to identify why radiographers leave the NHS early, and what incentives are important in their decision to stay. 11 In an earlier publication, Nightingale et al (2021) identified three over-arching factors influencing these decisions (Fig. 1), providing service managers with a broad understanding of the stressors impacting on their workforce and informing targeted interventions to improve radiographer retention.…”

“…1), providing service managers with a broad understanding of the stressors impacting on their workforce and informing targeted interventions to improve radiographer retention. 11 When considering the career span of a radiographer (up to 45 years), it is reasonable to assume that the factors impacting upon the decision to leave or remain may change in their emphasis over time. Early career radiographers [preceptorship to five years postregistration] are establishing themselves as autonomous professionals and determining early career choices.…”

“…These career stages each bring with them unique professional challenges as well as changing personal circumstances that may impact on morale, wellbeing and retention. 11,12 Overlapping with these career stages is the notion of generational cohorts, with four generations of the workforce now working and learning within imaging and radiotherapy services. 13 Generational Cohort Theory, first described by Edmunds and Turner in 2005, 14 proposes that people with similar birth years have a shared history and life experiences, and therefore develop similar beliefs and values; this may promote similar attitudes towards their professional world and working life.…”