Thank you for taking part in our anonymous online survey, phase one of a multi phased study titled: The 3R Nursing Workforce Study: What are the factors that influence nurses’ decision to leave or stay in the workforce? The study is being conducted by Professor Jane Mills (Primary Supervisor), Maureen Dillon (PhD Student), Dr. Lisa Hanson (Co-Supervisor), Dr. Helen Wright (Co-Supervisor) at La Trobe University and will explore the factors that influence nurses in Australia to leave or stay in the workforce. We hope to learn what the points of influence are in the decision making process used by nurses working in Australia about their employment. You have been invited to participate in this study because you are a nurse working in any healthcare setting in Australia. If you agree to participate in the study, you will be requested to complete a survey that will ask questions about your intention to stay or leave the nursing workforce, satisfaction with your practice environment and resilience. The questionnaire should take no more than 20 minutes to complete. Please read the Participant Information and Consent Statement prior to commencing the survey. Being part of this study is voluntary. If you want to be part of the study, we ask that you read the information below carefully. You can ask any questions using the email or telephone number provided on this information sheet. You can read the information below and decide at the end if you do not want to participate. If you decide not to participate this won’t affect your relationship with La Trobe University or any other listed organisation.

What are the benefits? The benefit of you taking part in this study is that you will be contributing to the knowledge of factors influencing the decision-making process used nurses working in Australia about their employment. The expected benefit to society in general is to improve the recruitment and retention of nurses, which in turn will contribute to the ongoing delivery and accessibility to health services across Australia. 

What are the risks? With any study there are (1) risks we know about, (2) risks we don’t know about and (3) risks we don’t expect. If you experience something that you aren’t sure about, please contact us immediately so we can discuss the best way to manage your concerns.

What will happen to information about me? We will collect information about you in ways that will not reveal who you are.  We will store information about you in ways that will not reveal who you are. We will publish information about you in ways that will not be identified in any type of publication from this study. We will keep your information for 5years after the project is completed. After this time we will destroy all of your data. The storage, transfer and destruction of your data will be undertaken in accordance with the Research Data Management Policy https://policies.latrobe.edu.au/document/view.php?id=106/. The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws, any health information collected will be handled in accordance with the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic). Subject to any exceptions in relevant laws, you have the right to access and correct your personal information by contacting the research team. 

Will I hear about the results of the study? We will let you know about the results of the study by links to publications and conference proceedings .

What if I change my mind? If you no longer want to complete the questionnaire, simply close the web browser. If you change your mind after clicking on the ‘Submit’ button, we can withdraw your responses because we can link who you are with your questionnaire responses in consultation with you. 

Who can I contact for questions or want more information? If you would like to speak to us please use the contact details below: Professor Jane Mills (Primary Supervisor) +61 409 762 200,  jane.mills@latrobe.edu.au Maureen Dillon (PhD Candidate), +61 35444 7375 , m.dillon@latrobe.edu.au What if I have a complaint? If you have a complaint about any part of this study please contact: Senior Research Ethics  Office , +61  39479 1443, humanethics@latrobe.edu.au, Ethics Reference Number HEC 22048.Consent Statement -Declaration by Participant? I (the participant) have read and understood the Participant Information and Consent Statement and any questions have been answered to my satisfaction. I agree to participate in the study I know I can withdraw at any time prior to pressing submit. I agree information provided by me or with my permission during the project may be included in a thesis, presentation and published in journals on the condition that I cannot be identified.  Please click on the ‘I consent’ button to indicate your consent and then complete the survey. Thank you.