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Scope of nursing practice on a surgery ward: A time‐motion study
Author(s) -
Müller Roxanne,
Cohen Christine,
Delmas Philippe,
Pasquier Jérôme,
Baillif Marine,
Ortoleva Bucher Claudia
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.13318
Subject(s) - nursing , coaching , observational study , scope of practice , work (physics) , documentation , scope (computer science) , medicine , health care , psychology , computer science , pathology , mechanical engineering , engineering , economics , psychotherapist , programming language , economic growth
Aim To log the activities of registered nurses and nursing assistants on a visceral surgery ward. Background By prioritizing their activities, nurses fail to exercise their full scope of practice even though this is essential for health care systems to function effectively and efficiently. Method A descriptive observational time–motion study was conducted over a period of 48 days. The activities of nurses ( n = 24) and nursing assistants ( n = 9) were logged over the course of their entire work shifts, both in the day and at night. Results In all, 499 hr of observation were logged. Tasks that fell under the dimensions of care activities and of communication and care coordination, which cover documentation, non‐care activities and delegated medical tasks, were the ones that took up most of the nurse work time. Patient assessment, relational care, therapeutic teaching/coaching, and knowledge updating and utilization were categories that nurses were under‐engaged in. Conclusion The study shows that the scope of nursing practice was not optimal. Implication for nursing management The results can serve to improve the work environment of carers, optimize the use of human resources and increase the visibility and efficiency of nursing work.