Nurse Staffing and Workload Drivers in Small Rural Hospitals: An Imperative for Evidence

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dc.contributor.authorTwigg, Diane E.
dc.contributor.authorCramer, Jennifer H.
dc.contributor.authorPugh, Judith D.
dc.date.accessioned2016-11-01T08:32:17Z
dc.date.available2016-11-01T08:32:17Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractPurpose: 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.sponsorshipThis project received funding of AUD$71,813 from the Nursing and Midwifery Office, Department of Health, Western Australia.en_US
dc.identifier.citationOnline Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care, 16(1)en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v16i1.370
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1118
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subjectrural health nursingen_US
dc.subjectnursing staffen_US
dc.subjectskill mixen_US
dc.subjectworkloaden_US
dc.subjectworkload measurementen_US
dc.subjecthospitals, ruralen_US
dc.subjectrural health servicesen_US
dc.titleNurse Staffing and Workload Drivers in Small Rural Hospitals: An Imperative for Evidenceen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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