In our study, each of these outcome variables (satisfaction, organizational commitment, search behavior, and intent to stay) is a discrete ordered choice variable. Nurses are surveyed as to their preferences on different scales (e.g., on a scale from 0 to 20, how strong is your commitment to the organization?).
Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey mailed to NLRNs (Kovner et al., 2007). We included those RNs who passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is the examination required by all states for RN licensure, between September 2004 and August 2005 and had not worked in a foreign country as a RN prior to licensure.