This applied dissertation study was designed to learn if the increased use of instructional technology integration strategies in nursing orientation programs resulted in an increased retention of new nurses. The study attempted to uncover the current retention rate and use of technology at the participating hospitals. The data obtained from Magnet and non-Magnet hospitals was compared.

Schaefer's Integration of Computer-Assisted Instruction Questionnaire was adapted in order to survey the hospitals. The list of 151 hospitals used in the study was found by combining the 50 best hospital lists from The U.S. News and World Report of Best Hospitals 2006, AARP 50 Top Hospitals Chart (2003), HealthGrades America's 50 Best Hospitals Report (2007), and Leapfrog Top Hospitals 2006. It was then determined which of the hospitals were Magnet® designated. Each of the hospital sites was sent the Instructional Technology Integration survey.

Of the 151 surveys that were mailed, 63 were returned for a response rate of about 23%. The data were analyzed to reveal if there were any significant differences between the responses of the Magnet and non-Magnet hospitals in regard to the use of instructional technology in nursing orientation programs and if the use of instructional technology in nursing orientation affected the rate of nurse retention. It was found that there was little difference in the retention of nurses in the Magnet and non-Magnet hospitals, but it was postulated that this could have been a result of the method of hospital selection from the 4 best hospital lists. All of the hospitals surveyed were judged superior by their evaluating agencies. There was also little difference in the use of instructional technology during nursing orientation except for the use of e-mail, which was used more often in Magnet hospitals.