Organizational traits of specialized units as compared to general wards in Jordanian hospitals

This study compares organizational traits of specialized units as compared to those traits in general wards of Jordanian hospitals. A comparative research design using a survey method was used to conduct the study. The Revised Nursing Work Index [NW1-R] 1 was used to collect data. A convenience sample of 263 Registered Nurses was recruited from 12 units and nine wards located in nine teaching, governmental, and private hospitals in Jordan; the total response rate was 53%. Wards were better than units in some organizational traits: having a supervisory staff that is supportive for nurses, having enough Registered Nurses [RNs] to provide quality patient care, working with a nurse manger who is considered as a good leader/manager, working with specialized nurses who provides patient care consultations, and having written and up-to-date nursing care plans for all patients. In all clinical settings in general and in units in particular, positive organizational traits should be established and maintained; these are essential milestones that contribute to positive nurse, patient, and organizational outcomes. Units in particular are in need to establish positive organizational traits, especially using supportive leadership styles, hiring adequate and specialized staff, and promoting staff's autonomy

Differences of hospitals' organizational traits in Jordan: nurses' perspectives

This study aims at comparing hospitals' organizational traits and nurses and hospitals' characteristics between teaching, governmental, and private hospitals in Jordan, as perceived by Registered Nurses [RNs]. The Revised Nursing Work Index [NWI-R] [1] was used to collect data from a convenience of 295 nurses who were employed in two teaching hospitals, four governmental hospitals, and three hospitals. The total response rate of the current study was 59%. Significant differences were reported between the three types of hospitals in the following nurses and hospitals' characteristics: shift worked, level of education, ages, average daily census, organizational structures, models of nursing care, decision-making styles, and areas of work. Based on means of the subscales, nurses' autonomy and their control over practice settings were the highest in teaching hospitals but the lowest in private hospitals. The strongest nurse-physician relationships were in governmental hospitals but the weakest were in teaching hospitals. Organizational support for nurses was the highest in teaching hospitals but it was the lowest in private hospitals. Based on the individual items of the scale, F-tests revealed that there were significant differences between the three types of hospitals in some organizational traits. There should be useful managerial tools that help in developing positive organizational traits such as improving nurses' autonomy and nurses' control over practice, enhancing nurse-physician relationships, and enhancing organizational support for nurses. These are considered important traits to produce positive outcomes for nurses, patients, and organizations

Nurses' autonomy: comparative study between American and Jordanian registered nurses

To compare between the autonomy of American registered nurses and the autonomy of Jordanian registered nurses regarding patient care decision and unit operation decisions. A comparative design using a survey method was used in this study employing a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected from 264 American registered nurses and 250 Iranian registered nurses who were working in a teaching hospital in both countries. The Autonomy Scale of Blegen and her colleagues 23 was used to measure nurses' autonomy. Over all, both American and Jordanian nurses had autonomy over patient care decisions more than that over unit operation decisions [Mean= 3.75 for American nurses versus 3.50 for Jordanian nurses]. The majority of differences in patient care decisions were advantageous for American nurses. However, the majority of differences in unit operation decisions were advantageous for Jordanian nurses [Mean= 3.40 for Jordanian nurses versus 2.54 for American nurses]. Nurses' autonomy is centered on patient decision-making, which reflects client advocacy. Differences in nurses' autonomy are related to differences in healthcare systems. In general, nurses' autonomy is important to enhance the quality of nursing care, patients' outcomes, and the survival of healthcare organizations

Nurses' perceptions of medication errors in Jordan

The incidence of medication errors is growing and resulting in serious patients' consequences such as hospitalization and death. Worldwide, there is a proliferation of studies about medication errors; however, such studies are absent in Jordan. This is the first nursing study about medication errors in Jordan, and this is one of few international comparative studies about the studied concepts. This study described medication errors in Jordan, as perceived by nurses. A survey method was used to collect data using the Modified Gladstone's Scale of Medication Errors. A convenient sample of 799 nurses was obtained from three types of hospitals at the Capital Amman and the northern part of Jordan. Medication errors were high in governmental hospitals as compared to those in teaching hospitals. No differences were found across hospitals in regard to the rate of medication errors. In all hospitals, underreporting was evident; however, nurses in private hospitals seemed to underreport medication errors more than nurses in teaching and governmental hospitals. Nurses in wards were at higher risks to commit medication errors more than nurses in Intensive Care Units [ICUs]. There were no differences between nurses in ICUs and those in wards in term of the rate of medication errors. In general, nurses were usually sure when to report medication errors using incident reports; however, ICU nurses were slightly higher than ward nurses in this aspect. High rates of medication errors should encourage the reformation process of health care systems. Recognizing medication errors is the first step to reduce, report, and even eliminate them, especially in acute care settings. Findings pinpoint that nurses have to have staff development about various issues related to medication errors, particularly defining and reporting these errors

perceived roles of nursing deans in supporting organizational climates and promoting Faculty members' job satisfaction

This study aimed at assessing the roles of nursing deans in supporting organizational climates and promoting faculty members' job satisfaction. The relationships between the two concepts were also explored. Moreover, this research examined the concepts of organizational climate and faculty members' job satisfaction in relation to sample's characteristics of: gender, marital status, time commitment, academic rank, level of education, years of appointment at the university, age, years of experience in teaching, years of experience in clinical nursing, number of faculty members at the nursing school, number of students enrolled/ year as perceived by faculty members, and total salary. In 2004 and after getting the approvals of the nursing deans, data were collected using survey method over two months. A convenient sample of 82 faculty members was recruited from 5 public universities. The response rate was 59%. Nursing faculty members perceived that it [often occurs] that the nursing deans create supportive organizational climates. Also, faculty members were [neutral] in their opinions about the roles the nursing deans have in promoting their faculty members'job satisfaction. Deans have effective roles in creating supportive organizational climates, and promoting their faculty members' job satisfaction; however, these roles should be expanded

Patients' satisfaction with nursing care in a Jordanian teaching hospital

There has been little research on patients' satisfaction in Jordan. This research aims to assess patients' satisfaction with nursing care in a Jordanian teaching hospital, compare levels of patients' satisfaction between critical care units and wards as well as based on gender and type of nursing care delivery system, and identify the variables that predict patients' satisfaction. A descriptive design was used using a survey. The Satisfaction with Nursing Care Questionnaire [SNCQ] was used to measure patients' satisfaction. This tool was translated into the Arabic language. Two hundred and fifty participants were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Patients reported that they were "moderately" satisfied. Patients in wards reported a better level of satisfaction than patients in critical care units. Female patients were less satisfied about nursing care than male patients. Patients who received care through team nursing model were more satisfied than those who received the care through functional model. The level of education and length of stay were the major predictors of patients' satisfaction with nursing care. The results of the current study provide baseline information for managerial interventions that are needed in the future to maximize patients' satisfaction with nursing care