【Exclusive Survey】The Biggest Factor Preventing Veterinary Nurse Turnover Was Not 'Salary' But 'Veterinarian Management'! Empirical Data on Staff Retention in Animal Hospitals Released
PERE Co., Ltd. released an exclusive survey revealing that 'support from superiors/veterinarians' is the primary factor in preventing veterinary nurse turnover, not salary. This data-driven insight into staff retention in animal hospitals is now publicly available.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 09:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 09:59 (27 min after Collected)
PERE Co., Ltd. / Animal Hospital Supporters PERE (Location: Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Shohei Nakamura), a management and HR consulting firm specializing in animal hospitals, conducted a quantitative survey targeting animal nurses working in veterinary facilities nationwide on 'factors of job satisfaction influencing the desire to continue working (retention rate).' They have compiled the results into a report (Master's thesis) and made it publicly available for free on their official website.
▼Click here for the survey report (full thesis PDF) link
[https://pere.ltd/column/?p=33]
■ Background of the Survey: Four Years Since National Qualification, Still Facing 'Chronic Staff Shortages'
In 2022, 'Certified Veterinary Nurse' became a national qualification, further increasing the importance of team medicine in veterinary settings. However, animal hospitals continue to face high turnover rates among animal nurses, making human resource securing a major management challenge.
While numerous studies exist on nurse turnover in human medical settings (large hospitals), there has been little research on organizational behavior data focusing on 'animal nurses' working in 'animal hospitals' with a staff of a few to a dozen people. Therefore, this survey conducted data analysis using multiple regression analysis to scientifically demonstrate what factors increase animal nurses' 'desire to continue working' (intention to continue their profession).
■ Summary of Survey Results
【Topic 1】The Biggest Factor Preventing Turnover Is 'Support from Superiors/Veterinarians,' Not 'Salary' or 'Discretion'
'Support from superiors/veterinarians' had the strongest positive impact on both 'desire to continue working at the current facility' (intention to continue working at the facility) and 'desire to continue as an animal nurse' (intention to continue in the animal nursing profession). While salary dissatisfaction tends to be frequently cited in animal nurse surveys, statistical analysis showed no direct impact of 'salary' satisfaction itself on the intention to continue working.
【Topic 2】'Daily Appreciation' and 'Shielding in Times of Trouble' Create Psychological Safety
'Support from superiors/veterinarians' is not merely about operational instructions. 'Daily words of appreciation,' 'clear instructions including treatment intent (educational support),' and 'the stance of protecting staff as the person in charge during disputes with pet owners' were suggested to enhance staff's psychological safety and directly lead to organizational retention.
【Topic 3】Importance of 'Positive Emotions (Job Satisfaction)' and 'Working Environment (Work-Life Balance, etc.)'
Pride in the profession of animal nursing and 'positive emotions' such as sharing joy in a patient's recovery were found to increase the desire to continue working. Additionally, the establishment of a 'comfortable working environment' with flexible work arrangements and vacation acquisition tended to contribute to continued employment at the current hospital.
■ Comment from Shohei Nakamura, Veterinary Hospital Consultant
"Many animal hospitals are flat, small organizations, so the daily communication from hospital directors and veterinarians directly constitutes 'organizational management.' This research has provided objective evidence that 'educational and emotional support from veterinarians is the biggest key' for staff retention, which was previously often discussed based on 'on-site feelings.' I hope this report will provide hints for hospital directors nationwide struggling with recruitment and retention, regarding how to interact with staff starting tomorrow and how to build a better hospital."
■ Survey Overview
Survey Purpose: Clarification of factors influencing job satisfaction and the desire to continue working among animal nurses in Japanese veterinary facilities (Master's thesis, Toyo University Graduate School of Business Administration, 2025).
Target Audience: Animal nurses working in veterinary facilities nationwide (Valid responses: 85).
Survey Method: Internet questionnaire survey.
Analysis Method: Multiple regression analysis, etc.
※[Request to Media Professionals] When citing the content, graphs, or data from this release or report, please be sure to credit "Survey by [PERE Co., Ltd. / Shohei Nakamura]" and provide a link to the official website.
■ About the Survey Report Link
The full thesis (PDF) summarizing all research data, considerations, and practical application points is available for free from the official blog below.
▼Click here for the survey report (full thesis PDF) link
[https://pere.ltd/column/?p=33]
■ Company / Representative Overview
Name: PERE Co., Ltd. / Animal Hospital Supporters PERE
Location: Adachi-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Shohei Nakamura
Business Activities: Consulting services specializing in animal hospitals (support for new openings, business succession/M&A, management consulting, recruitment consulting, loan/subsidy support, HP creation, marketing support, human resource development, human resource management, professional collaboration support, administrative agency).
Official Website: [https://pere.ltd/]
Contact: [shohei.nakam
▼Click here for the survey report (full thesis PDF) link
[https://pere.ltd/column/?p=33]
■ Background of the Survey: Four Years Since National Qualification, Still Facing 'Chronic Staff Shortages'
In 2022, 'Certified Veterinary Nurse' became a national qualification, further increasing the importance of team medicine in veterinary settings. However, animal hospitals continue to face high turnover rates among animal nurses, making human resource securing a major management challenge.
While numerous studies exist on nurse turnover in human medical settings (large hospitals), there has been little research on organizational behavior data focusing on 'animal nurses' working in 'animal hospitals' with a staff of a few to a dozen people. Therefore, this survey conducted data analysis using multiple regression analysis to scientifically demonstrate what factors increase animal nurses' 'desire to continue working' (intention to continue their profession).
■ Summary of Survey Results
【Topic 1】The Biggest Factor Preventing Turnover Is 'Support from Superiors/Veterinarians,' Not 'Salary' or 'Discretion'
'Support from superiors/veterinarians' had the strongest positive impact on both 'desire to continue working at the current facility' (intention to continue working at the facility) and 'desire to continue as an animal nurse' (intention to continue in the animal nursing profession). While salary dissatisfaction tends to be frequently cited in animal nurse surveys, statistical analysis showed no direct impact of 'salary' satisfaction itself on the intention to continue working.
【Topic 2】'Daily Appreciation' and 'Shielding in Times of Trouble' Create Psychological Safety
'Support from superiors/veterinarians' is not merely about operational instructions. 'Daily words of appreciation,' 'clear instructions including treatment intent (educational support),' and 'the stance of protecting staff as the person in charge during disputes with pet owners' were suggested to enhance staff's psychological safety and directly lead to organizational retention.
【Topic 3】Importance of 'Positive Emotions (Job Satisfaction)' and 'Working Environment (Work-Life Balance, etc.)'
Pride in the profession of animal nursing and 'positive emotions' such as sharing joy in a patient's recovery were found to increase the desire to continue working. Additionally, the establishment of a 'comfortable working environment' with flexible work arrangements and vacation acquisition tended to contribute to continued employment at the current hospital.
■ Comment from Shohei Nakamura, Veterinary Hospital Consultant
"Many animal hospitals are flat, small organizations, so the daily communication from hospital directors and veterinarians directly constitutes 'organizational management.' This research has provided objective evidence that 'educational and emotional support from veterinarians is the biggest key' for staff retention, which was previously often discussed based on 'on-site feelings.' I hope this report will provide hints for hospital directors nationwide struggling with recruitment and retention, regarding how to interact with staff starting tomorrow and how to build a better hospital."
■ Survey Overview
Survey Purpose: Clarification of factors influencing job satisfaction and the desire to continue working among animal nurses in Japanese veterinary facilities (Master's thesis, Toyo University Graduate School of Business Administration, 2025).
Target Audience: Animal nurses working in veterinary facilities nationwide (Valid responses: 85).
Survey Method: Internet questionnaire survey.
Analysis Method: Multiple regression analysis, etc.
※[Request to Media Professionals] When citing the content, graphs, or data from this release or report, please be sure to credit "Survey by [PERE Co., Ltd. / Shohei Nakamura]" and provide a link to the official website.
■ About the Survey Report Link
The full thesis (PDF) summarizing all research data, considerations, and practical application points is available for free from the official blog below.
▼Click here for the survey report (full thesis PDF) link
[https://pere.ltd/column/?p=33]
■ Company / Representative Overview
Name: PERE Co., Ltd. / Animal Hospital Supporters PERE
Location: Adachi-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Shohei Nakamura
Business Activities: Consulting services specializing in animal hospitals (support for new openings, business succession/M&A, management consulting, recruitment consulting, loan/subsidy support, HP creation, marketing support, human resource development, human resource management, professional collaboration support, administrative agency).
Official Website: [https://pere.ltd/]
Contact: [shohei.nakam