Scope of nursing practice on a surgery ward: A time-motion study

Improving the Recruitment and Retention of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel: A Quality Improvement Initiative

With increasing demands for unlicensed assistive personnel, strategies for optimizing recruitment and retention are paramount. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase the recruitment and retention of unlicensed assistive personnel in a nonprofit healthcare organization. Initiatives included expanding academic affiliations enhancing pipeline, developing a tailored onboarding program, and introducing a clinical ladder. Results indicate increases in numbers of academic affiliations and hiring, with unlicensed assistive personnel turnover rates below national averages.

Post-operative nursing activities to prevent wound complications in patients undergoing colorectal surgeries: A scoping review

AIMS

To identify postoperative interventions and quality improvement initiatives used to prevent wound complications in patients undergoing colorectal surgeries, the types of activities nurses undertake in these interventions/initiatives and how these activities align with nurses' scope of practice.

DESIGN

A scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

Three health databases were searched, and backward and forward citation searching occurred in April 2022. Research and quality improvement initiatives included focussed on adult patients undergoing colorectal surgery, from 2010 onwards. Data were extracted about study characteristics, nursing activities and outcomes. The 'Dimensions of the scope of nursing practice' framework was used to classify nursing activities and then the Patterns, Advances, Gaps, Evidence for practice and Research recommendations framework was used to synthesise the review findings.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven studies were included. These studies often reported negative wound pressure therapy and surgical site infection bundle interventions/initiatives. Nurses' scope of practice was most frequently 'Technical procedure and delegated medical care' meaning nurses frequently acted under doctors' orders, with the most common delegated activity being dressing removal.

CONCLUSION

The full extent of possible interventions nurses could undertake independently in the postoperative period requires further exploration to improve wound outcomes and capitalise on nurses' professional role.

IMPACT STATEMENT

Nurses' role in preventing postoperative wound complications is unclear, which may inhibit their ability to influence postoperative outcomes. In the postoperative period, nurses undertake technical activities, under doctors' orders to prevent wound infections. For practice, nurses need to upkeep and audit their technical skills. New avenues for researchers include exploration of independent activities for postoperative nurses and the outcomes of these activities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

There may be opportunities to broaden nurses' scope of practice to act more autonomously to prevent wound complication.

REPORTING METHOD

Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

A health consumer interpreted the data and prepared the manuscript.

A Current State Assessment on Nursing Work Activities: An Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Nationwide nursing shortages have led to higher patient-to-nurse ratios, nursing burnout, and decreased quality of care.

LOCAL PROBLEM

Staffing challenges and nursing burnout were becoming growing concerns and success was contingent upon efficient use of existing resources.

METHODS

Direct observation current state assessment was completed on medical-surgical specialty units to better understand work activities of registered nurses (RNs) and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs).

RESULTS

RNs spent more time performing indirect care (eg, documentation) than direct patient care. Interruptions and problems consumed 17.4% and 5.6% of their time, respectively. UAPs performed more direct patient care but had a higher proportion of downtime. RNs underdelegated nonclinical tasks.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct observation current state assessment offers a better understanding of workflow and workload inefficiencies. This information is critical to provide informed, evidence-based recommendations to develop future patient care models with more capacity to deliver high-quality care with greater efficiency and lessen nursing burden and burnout during the nursing shortage crisis.

The scope of nursing practice in a psychiatric unit: A time and motion study

WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE SUBJECT?: The evaluation of nurse care practices poses many challenges, including the identification of all the aspects of the care given. Few studies have looked at the scope of nursing practice in psychiatry. However, the evaluation of care practices in the mental health field poses many challenges, including the identification of all aspects of care. WHAT THE DOCUMENT ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Findings demonstrated that mental health nurses do not invest in all domains of their scope of practice in the same way and the time spent with patients is low. Several factors contributed to this, including the increasing complexity of care, stagnant staffing levels, and a culture of care that continues to be influenced by the medical model. Current models of care still retain the stigma of this past, prioritizing medically delegated tasks rather than promoting a holistic approach to care. Although the professional identity of nurses is evolving and asserting itself, the paradigm shift in practice is still incomplete. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: It is essential to describe concretely what is actually expected of nurses, to help them allocate their time effectively and to identify opportunities for improvement. The field of practice of nurses is put under stress by a demanding work environment subject to many pressures and constraints. Changing practices so that nurses can use the full scope of nursing practice requires strong nursing leadership and action on education and the organization of care, particularly on clinical assessment. ABSTRACT: Introduction The evaluation of nursing care practices poses many challenges, including identifying all the aspects of the care given. However, few studies have examined the scope of nursing practice in psychiatry. Aim The aim of this study was to describe the intensity of nursing activities on a psychiatric unit based on the adaptation of Déry and D'Amour's (2017, Perspect Infirm Rev Off Ordre Infirm Qué, 14, 51) Scope of Nursing Practice Model. Method This 56-day descriptive observational study used the time and motion method to follow eight nurses. Results 500 h of observations were carried out. The greatest lengths of time were allocated to communication and coordination of care activities and to "non-healthcare" domains. Less time was devoted to activities related to clinical evaluation and therapeutic education. Discussion Findings demonstrated that MHNs do not perform all the possible functions in the domains of their scope of practice in the same way, and time spent with patients was short. Several factors contributed to this, including the fact that nurses are working in increasingly demanding care settings that keep them under constant pressure.