In 2001, 21% of a sample of 700 nurses then in current practice expected to leave direct patient care within five years for reasons other than retirement (Peter D. Hart Research Associates, 2001). The main reason given was to find a job that was less stressful and physically demanding. Further, an improvement in staffing ratios was the most important change mentioned by these nurses that would keep them from leaving. Additionally, in another study of 324 randomly selected staff registered nurses (RNs) in North Carolina, the 171 RNs of the sample who had stayed longer than five years in their present position were asked why they had stayed. Their top reasons were having a collegial environment, satisfactory pay and benefits, and flexible scheduling (Lacey, 2003; Lacey & Shaver, 2002).