M Koivula1, M Paunonen, P Laippala. 1. Department of Nursing Science, University of Tampere, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
Abstract
AIM: This study examines how the characteristics of nurses, working communities and leadership affect the prerequisites for quality improvement in nursing. BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the phenomena affecting nurses' action is needed, since quality of care is seen as a result of an individual carer's professional skills, work motivation and commitment to work. METHODS: Material for the study was collected using a questionnaire. The respondents were 723 nursing practitioners from two special level hospitals. The main instrument used was the Managerial Abilities instrument developed by the researchers. FINDINGS: The results of the statistical analyses showed that exhaustion experienced by the nurses is the most important obstacle to quality improvement in nursing. The education of nurses, good team work and the ward sister's managerial abilities have a positive influence on quality improvement in nursing. CONCLUSION: Nurses' exhaustion should be reduced in order to improve quality of care.
AIM: This study examines how the characteristics of nurses, working communities and leadership affect the prerequisites for quality improvement in nursing. BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the phenomena affecting nurses' action is needed, since quality of care is seen as a result of an individual carer's professional skills, work motivation and commitment to work. METHODS: Material for the study was collected using a questionnaire. The respondents were 723 nursing practitioners from two special level hospitals. The main instrument used was the Managerial Abilities instrument developed by the researchers. FINDINGS: The results of the statistical analyses showed that exhaustion experienced by the nurses is the most important obstacle to quality improvement in nursing. The education of nurses, good team work and the ward sister's managerial abilities have a positive influence on quality improvement in nursing. CONCLUSION: Nurses' exhaustion should be reduced in order to improve quality of care.