Staff nurse views of important aspects of nursing practice

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify what registered nurses employed in hospitals perceived to be important to their nursing practice. Staff nurse opinions were analyzed to explore similarities and differences between demonstration and comparison sits, and demonstration sties over time, during early implementation of the Differentiated Group Professional Practice (DGPP) model. An exploratory/descriptive design was used to analyze the content of written responses to one open-ended question. Nurses on the demonstration units expressed fewer responses related to administrative and nursing management support and more responses related to lack of recognition from nursing management, continuing education, pay related to responsibility, non-nursing tasks, and group cohesion. Results supported the conceptual framework of the DGPP model. Additional categories revealed by the analysis included administration, education, interdepartmental communication, job alternatives, nursing management, physical environment, and staffing.