Document Type

Journal Article

Publisher

Binghamton University – Decker School of Nursing

School

School of Nursing and Midwifery

RAS ID

21752

Funders

Nursing and Midwifery Office, Department of Health, Western Australia

Comments

Twigg, D. E., Cramer, J. H., & Pugh, J. D. (2016). Nurse staffing and workload drivers in small rural hospitals: An imperative for evidence. Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care, 16(1), 97-121.

https://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v16i1.370

Abstract

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to explore staffing issues and the workload drivers influencing nursing activities in designated small rural hospitals of Western Australia. A problem for small rural hospitals is an imbalance between nurse staffing resources and work activity.

Sample:

A purposive sample of 17 nurse leaders employed at designated small rural hospitals in Western Australia.

Method:

A qualitative research design was used. Data were collected by focus group and semi-structured interviews and review of Western Australian Country Health Service records. Thematic analysis was used to interpret data.

Findings:

A minimum nurse staffing model is in use. Staff workload is generated from multiple activities involving 24-hour emergency services, inpatient care, and other duties associated with a lack of clinical and administrative services. These factors together impact on nursing staff resources and the skill mix required to ensure the safety and quality of patient care.

Conclusion:

Nurse staffing for small rural hospitals needs site-specific recording techniques for workload measurement, staff utilisation and patient outcomes. It is imperative that evidence guide nurse staffing decisions and that the workload driving nursing activity is reviewed.

DOI

10.14574/ojrnhc.v16i1.370

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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