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The changing boundaries of nursing: a qualitative study of the transition to a new nursing care delivery model
Author(s) -
Rhéaume Ann,
Dionne Sophie,
Gaudet Denise,
Allain Monique,
Belliveau Estelle,
Boudreau Laurraine,
Brown Laurianne
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1111/jocn.12846
Subject(s) - nursing , team nursing , primary nursing , nursing care , nursing research , nurse education , nursing outcomes classification , nursing shortage , relevance (law) , medicine , health care , qualitative research , sociology , social science , political science , economics , law , economic growth
Aims and objectives To explore how nursing personnel have experienced the introduction of a new nursing care delivery model within their setting. Background New ways of nursing care are being implemented in many countries to contain rising health care costs and deal with ongoing nursing shortages. The adoption of new nursing care delivery models will have a substantial impact on the nature of nursing practice. Design A qualitative design was used for this study. Symbolic interactionism was used as a guiding framework. Methods Semi‐structured interviews were held with 20 nurses (17 registered nurses and 3 ancillary nursing personnel) in two hospitals in eastern Canada following the introduction of a new nursing care nursing model. The constant comparative method was used to analyse interview data. Results Four themes emerged from the data: (1) the ownership of tasks, (2) managing the workers, (3) a different way of knowing the patient and (4) the struggle to change. Conclusions Nursing boundaries were flexible, regardless of the implementation of a new nursing care delivery model. Nursing tasks shifted from one group of workers to another during the course of the day to meet patient needs. Relevance to clinical practice This study highlights the challenges in relation to the introduction of new nursing care delivery models within hospital settings.