Nurses represent a crucial resource for delivering quality patient care and maintaining patient satisfaction, but recent surveys reveal they are experiencing a drastic increase in responsibilities, resulting in a relatively negative outlook on their profession. According to Jackson Healthcare's 2013 survey of 1,333 hospital-based registered nurses, nurses reported mounting pressure and decreased satisfaction.
The following summarizes findings of the Jackson Healthcare's RN Practice Trends & Time at Bedside Survey.
General findings
- Sixty-four percent of hospital-based nurses say they are satisfied with their jobs, and 36 percent report dissatisfaction. These findings represent only a slight decrease in satisfaction from 2012.
- Seventy-five percent of dissatisfied RNs believe the profession has changed for the worse. Thirty-nine percent of satisfied RNs agree, but 30 percent believe it's changed for the better.
- Sixty-six percent of RNs surveyed reported there isn't enough staff to cover the patient load.
- Forty-two percent of RNs believe the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has changed the nursing profession, and 58 percent believe it hasn't.
Frustration with inefficient use of time
- Sixty-seven percent of respondents say they waste time completing tasks they believe other hospital personnel could perform, leading to reduced bedside time. These nurses cite inadequate staff as the primary reason they don't have enough time with patients.
- Forty-eight percent cite a lack of communication among nurses and with other hospital staff as a factor that takes time away from caring for patients, while 43 percent blame documenting physicians' orders or completing paper charts/EMRs.
- Forty-two percent report fatigue from overwork or long shifts lessens patient bedside time.
- Twenty-one percent indicate feeling a lack of control over their nursing work schedule.
More responsibilities
- Forty-three percent of RNs reported they are responsible for optimizing throughput via care coordination, a 9 percent increase from 2012.
- Thirty-nine percent feel less autonomous, while 38 percent report more autonomy. Twenty-nine percent perceive no change in autonomy.
- Most respondents, 18 percent, report a RN to patient ratio as 1-to-2. Seventeen percent care for four patients at once, and 16 percent care for five. Only 6 percent of RNs care for one patient at a time.
- Forty-three percent say RN staffing has decreased at their facilities. About half say there is a shortage of nurses.
- Seventy-four percent of RNs feel pressured to positively influence patient satisfaction questionnaires
Accounting for disconnect and teamwork
- Sixty-two percent say their nurse leaders are not involved in their daily activities but have a major influence on performance evaluations, budgeting and hiring.
- Sixty-three percent of respondents reported they have no idea whether or not their hospitals are part of accountable care organizations.
- Seventy percent of RNs rate teamwork between themselves and pharmacists as excellent or good, 65 percent with physicians, 64 percent with techs, 63 percent with nurse practitioners and 51 percent with physician assistants.
- Thirty percent feel bullied at work, with 13 percent identifying senior managers, 11 percent identifying fellow nurses, and 5 percent identify nursing leaders and physicians.