Evidence-based research in nursing administration: the time is now.

The paper "Working in Canada or the United States: Perceptions of Canadian Nurses Living in a Border Community" by Cameron, Armstrong-Stassen, Rajacich and Freeman sheds new light on the recruitment and retention factors that influence the reasons nurses select certain work environments. In a border city where Canadian nurses have a choice between working in the United States or Canada, the researchers found that full-time employment was the most important factor attracting nurses to specific institutions, followed by educational opportunities, relationships with physicians and supervisors, and scheduling that is compatible with the nurse's lifestyle. While these employment factors have been identified in the past, the research reminds us of the importance of focusing on the elements that attract nurses to specific healthcare institutions and encourage them to remain, as well as the relative importance of these factors.