ABSTRACT
Background: International evidence shows that there are organizational factors and nurse job outcomes that may negatively affect healthcare quality. Aim: To measure and analyze associations between nurse organizational factors, such as staffing ratios and skill mix, and job outcomes in public hospitals in Chile. Material and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study of 1,855 registered nurses working in medical-surgical units in 37 public hospitals was conducted. Data collection followed the RN4CAST research protocol. Inferential analyses used logistic regression models. Results: The survey was answered by 1,395 registered nurses in 34 hospitals. The average staffing ratio was 14 patients-per-nurse, and the average skill mix was 31% registered nurses. Of all nurses, 35% reported burnout, 22% were dissatisfied, and 33% intended to leave. Being burned out increased by 9 and 6% the odds of being dissatisfied and the intent to leave, respectively (Odds ratio (OR) 1.09, p < 0.01 and 1.06, p < 0.01). Being dissatisfied increased by five times the odds of intent to leave (OR 5.19, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Staffing levels, burnout, and intent to leave warrant healthcare and governmental authorities' attention. All these factors may be threatening healthcare quality and safety.
Subject(s)
Humans , Clinical Competence , Nurses , Chile , Cross-Sectional Studies , Workforce , Hospitals, Public , Job SatisfactionABSTRACT
Resumen:
Objetivo: este artículo da a conocer el proyecto colaborativo entre la Escuela de Enfermería de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) y la Escuela de Enfermería de la Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Paraguay. El objetivo es el de mejorar la calidad del cuidado de la salud que se otorga a la población, a través del perfeccionamiento de enfermeras y enfermeros a nivel de postgrado. Metodología: se revisan los principales aspectos considerados en la creación y puesta en marcha del postgrado, y su estado actual a junio de 2014. La participación de la Escuela de Enfermería de la PUC en este proyecto responde al llamamiento de la Santa Sede de fortalecer la red de universidades católicas y es considerado un deber de contribuir con su experiencia y experticia al desarrollo de la enfermería de un país amigo. Resultados: como resultado de este proyecto se creó y puso en marcha, en el año 2007, un programa de magister en Enfermería desarrollado en la ciudad de Asunción, que en el año 2014 ha graduado a 29 profesionales y que están contribuyendo al desarrollo de la enfermería de Paraguay. Conclusión: el modelo diseñado para el desarrollo de este magister ha demostrado ser exitoso, como también el establecimiento de alianzas y colaboración entre las universidades, lo que aporta beneficios a las instituciones involucradas tanto en los ámbitos académicos y profesionales como personales.
Abstract:
Purpose: A collaborative project by Nursing School, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Chile (PUC) and Nursing School, Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Paraguay is described. The project is aimed at improving healthcare quality provided to the community by means of an improved postgraduate education for nurses.
Methods: The main aspects taken into account to create and develop postgraduate courses, along with their present condition in June 2014, are reviewed. The involvement of PUC's Nursing School in this project results from the Holy See's calling for "strengthening the Catholic Universities network"; and offering its experience and expertise to help nursing development in a friend country is considered to be a duty. Results: As a result from the project, in 2007 a Master Program in Nursing was created and implemented in Asunción city, with 29 professionals having achieved graduation in it until 2014; such professionals are currently contributing to nursing development in Paraguay. Conclusion: The model that was designed in order to develop this Master course has proved successful. Alliances and collaboration between universities have also been satisfactory, with benefits being obtained by involved institutions at academic, professional, and personal levels.
Introduçao: trabalho colaborador entre a Escola de Enfermagem da Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Chile (PUC) e a Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade Católica Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Paraguai. Objetivo: melhorar a qualidade do cuidado de saúde que se outorga a população, usando como estratégia o aperfeiçoamento de enfermeiras e enfermeiros em nível de pós-graduação. Resultado: como resultado deste projeto se criou e pôs em marcha, o ano de 2007, um Programa de Mestrado em Enfermagem desenvolvido na cidade de Assunção, que até 2014 havia graduado 29 profissionais que estão contribuindo ao desenvolvimento da Enfermagem de Paraguai.
Conclusão: o modelo desenhado deste Mestrado tem demonstrado ser exitoso, bem como também o estabelecimento de alianças e colaborações entre as universidades o que oferece contribuições benéficas ás instituições envolvidas tanto nos âmbitos acadêmicos, profissionais como pessoais.