Job Analysis Based on Working Hours and Activities of Oncology Advanced Practice Nurses

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the actual working hours of an oncology advanced practice nurse (APN) at a university hospital according to the duties and tasks outlined in the job description. METHODS: An assessment tool for this study was created based on the job description of APN as defined by the Korean Nurses Association, and was later verified by a specialist party. Twenty-three oncology APNs recorded their nursing activity on the assessment tool. The working hours and distribution were analyzed according to specific duty and task. RESULTS: Average working hours per day for APNs totaled 9.3 hours. Time for duties was allocated as follows in order of priority: 28.0% for therapeutic intervention and 19.8% for clinical decision making. Time allotted for tasks was distributed as follows: 19.5% for special nursing care and 9.8% for planning treatment and nursing interventions. CONCLUSION: This study allowed insight into the actual time spent by oncology APNs on duties and tasks outlined in the job description. These findings should contribute to management of the changing role of oncology APNs. Furthermore, the results may be used as a basic resource for the continued professional development of the work of oncology APNs.

The Effects of the Critical Pathway for Inguinal Hernia Repair

This study was conducted to develop a case management program using the critical pathway (CP) as an intervention method for patients with an inguinal hernia for a herniorrhaphy, and to determine the effects of the CP on the period of hospitalization, medical costs, the rates of postoperative complaints, patient satisfaction and the nurses' job satisfaction. One hundred patients (60 in the experimental group, 40 in the control group) who were admitted to a general hospital in Seoul for inguinal herniorrhaphy were enrolled in this study. The results showed that the period of hospitalization and the postoperative hospital stay were significantly reduced in the CP group. In addition, the total medical cost, was lowered significantly by use of the CP for patients undergoing an inguinal herniorrhaphy. The rates of postoperative complaints, patients' satisfaction and the information on the treatment were enhanced after implementing the CP. These results suggests that the CP may be a useful tool for enhancing the health care outcome by decreasing the period of hospitalization, overall medical costs and by improving the quality of care, all of which can benefit the patients, the patients' family, caregivers and the hospital.