Background Low response rates to surveys have been a long-standing issue in research. This includes research involving nurses and midwives. To gain representative samples, appropriate measures to maximise response rates need to be used.

Aim To explore ways to maximise response rates from nurses and midwives, using a hospital-wide survey as an example.

Discussion All nurses and midwives at the study hospital were invited to participate in a survey. To encourage participation and elicit an adequate response rate, several strategies were used. A total of 1,000 surveys were distributed and 319 (32%) were returned. All the required age groups, levels of experience and types of nursing registration were represented in the responses and data saturation was achieved.

Conclusion It is important to pay attention to obtaining a representative sample. Further investigation of response rates to surveys by nurses and midwives is warranted.

Implications for practice Strategies to maximise response rates from a target population should be used when conducting surveys.