| dc.contributor.author | Twigg, Diane E. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Cramer, Jennifer H. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Pugh, Judith D. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2016-11-01T08:32:17Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2016-11-01T08:32:17Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2016 | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care, 16(1) | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v16i1.370 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1118 | |
| dc.description.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. | en_US |
| dc.description.sponsorship | This project received funding of AUD$71,813 from the Nursing and Midwifery Office,
Department of Health, Western Australia. | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.subject | rural health nursing | en_US |
| dc.subject | nursing staff | en_US |
| dc.subject | skill mix | en_US |
| dc.subject | workload | en_US |
| dc.subject | workload measurement | en_US |
| dc.subject | hospitals, rural | en_US |
| dc.subject | rural health services | en_US |
| dc.title | Nurse Staffing and Workload Drivers in Small Rural Hospitals: An Imperative for Evidence | en_US |
| dc.type | Article | en_US |
