The impact of communication satisfaction on paediatric nurses’ job satisfaction and intention to stay

Effective communication is the most central process within an organisation and is essential to organisational values, norms and expectations. There is a documented connection between job satisfaction, work commitment and organisational communication. However, nurses’ and nursing middle managers’ satisfaction with organisational communication has not been extensively studied in recent years and not at all among paediatric nurses. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and test a theoretical model that examined paediatric nurses’ and middle managers’ satisfaction with organisational communication and the effect this has on paediatric nurses’ job satisfaction and intention to stay in their job. Employing a quantitative research design, a series of surveys were distributed to paediatric nurses (including middle managers) in both electronic and hard copy formats. A total of 165 surveys were returned for a response rate of 42.4%. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to identify the difference in organisational communication perceptions between paediatric nurses and middle managers. A statistically significant difference was identified, with middle managers displaying greater dissatisfaction in seven communication satisfaction areas. Structural Equation Modelling tested and refined the hypothesised model. Final analysis showed adequate fit data (ꭓ²=2.040, p value= .728, SRMR= .0302, CFI=1.00, RMSEA=.000, pCLOSE= .827). In the final model, supervisor relationships, media quality and communication climate had a direct effect on job satisfaction and an indirect effect on intention to leave ones’ job and looking for another job. Job satisfaction had a direct effect on intention to leave and looking for another job. Study findings suggest that changes to upward and downward communication systems are needed to improve the nursing voice within healthcare organisations. In addition, more support and guidance is required for middle managers, including mentorship and intense training programs. Likewise, organisational communication education at the undergraduate level is needed for student nurses to develop the skills necessary to challenge weaknesses in communication once graduated

Development, implementation, and evaluation of a Professional Practice Model: A scoping review

Aim: The aim of this study is to synthesize available literature describing the development, implementation and evaluation of a Professional Practice Model. Background: A Professional Practice Model is an overarching theory-based framework that depicts nursing values and defines the structure and process of nursing care. No research has synthesized available literature on this topic in recent times. Evaluation: A review of English language papers was published from 2015 to 2022. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Key Issues: All studies highlighted the importance of having a Professional Practice Model that reflects nursing care activities and resonates with nurses across an organization. This is achieved through strong leadership and clinical nurse involvement during the development, implementation and evaluation phases. In addition, a model should be adapted to keep up to date with scientific changes relevant to nursing. Conclusions: This review adds to the body of knowledge on the development, implementation and evaluation of a Professional Practice Model. Future research exploring the benefit of a Professional Practice Model on patient outcomes would be useful. Implications for nursing management: The key elements of a Professional Practice Model including six components and theoretical foundation have been summarized in this review. Nurse leaders should consider these key elements in the creation of a Professional Practice Model. For successful enculturation, a Professional Practice Model needs to be relevant to all nurses and easy for them to articulate

The impact of pandemics on healthcare providers\u27 workloads: A scoping review

Aims: To review and synthesize available evidence exploring the impact of pandemics on direct healthcare providers\u27 workloads in the acute care setting. Design: Scoping review. Data Sources: A review of English research articles published up to August 2022 that examined the impact of pandemics on healthcare providers’ workloads was undertaken. Studies were identified by searching four electronic databases: Medline (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), Web of Science and PsychInfo (EBSCO). Fifty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Review Methods: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Scoping Review checklist. Results: Healthcare workers experience an increase in workload pressures during a pandemic. This included patients requiring more care, undertaking non-normal work activities, increase in work content including changes to documentation, increase in demand and skills required, an increase in overtime and hours of work per week and higher patient-to-nurse ratios. The review also highlighted changes to the work environment and worsened work environments, including staffing shortages. Conclusion: Focused efforts from health organizations to prioritize supportive conditions, policies focused on improved work environments, staffing adequacy and fair and reasonable workloads will enhance retention of the current workforce and future planning for pandemics. Impact: Understanding workload challenges faced by frontline health professionals during the pandemic can improve planning, including policies and procedures, and resource allocation for future pandemic or emergency situations. In addition, extended periods of high workloads can impact staff retention. As many countries return to life after COVID-19, it is important that healthcare organizations examine staff pressures and identify ways to support staff moving forward. This will be vital for the future sustainability of the workforce. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution

The impact of nurse staffing methodologies on nurse and patient outcomes: A systematic review

Aim Aim of this study is to systematically review and synthesize available evidence to identify the association between nurse staffing methodologies and nurse and patient outcomes. Design Systematic review and narrative synthesis. Data sources A search of MEDLINE (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO) and Web of Science was conducted for studies published in English between January 2000 and January 2020. Review methods The reporting of this review and narrative synthesis was guided by the preferred reporting items for systematic and meta-analysis guidelines (PRISMA) statement and data synthesis guided by the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guideline. The quality of each article was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-one used the mandated minimum nurse-to-patient ratio methodology and one study assessed the number of nurse hours per patient day staffing methodology. Both methodologies were mandated. All studies that reported on nurse outcomes demonstrated an improvement associated with the implementation of mandated minimum nurse-to-patient ratio, but findings related to patient outcomes were inconclusive. Conclusions Evidence on the impact of specific nurse staffing methodologies and patient and nurse outcomes remains highly limited. Future studies that examine the impact of specific staffing methodologies on outcomes are required to inform this fundamental area of management and practice

Suicidal ideation in the perinatal period: A systematic review

Objective: To examine literature surrounding suicidal ideation and suicidality in the perinatal period. Design: Systematic Literature Review of published 15 research studies. Findings: There is a scarcity of prospective studies conducted in suicidal ideation during the perinatal period. More research is needed to ensure childbearing women at risk of suicidal ideation during pregnancy receive the appropriate care and maternity services required to support them throughout this period. Key conclusions: Midwives play an important role in screening women for possible emotional distress and mood disorders during pregnancy. Therefore, midwives need to have knowledge of risk factors so vulnerable women are monitored and supportive maternity services can be implemented if indicated. Implications for practice: Suicidal ideation can have serious consequences for the women and the product if left untreated. Screening for suicidal ideation, antenatal and postnatal depression is imperative. Women with a pre-existing mental health disorders are a particularly vulnerable population group and should be monitored closely for suicidal ideation. Women who experience intimate partner violence or are from low socioeconomic backgrounds also present a risk of suicidal ideation, all of which require complex mental-health care

Staff perceptions of the effectiveness of managerial communication during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Aims: This work aims to explore staff perceptions of (1) the effectiveness of organizational communication during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) the impact of organizational communication on staff well-being and ability to progress their work and patient care. Background: Effective coordination and communication are essential in a pandemic management response. However, the effectiveness of communication strategies used during the COVID-19 pandemic is not well understood. Design: An exploratory cross-sectional research design was used. A 33-item survey tool was created for the study. Methods: The study was conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital in Western Australia. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from nursing, medical, allied health services, administrative and clerical, and personal support services (N = 325). Data were collected between December 2020 and May 2021. Results: Overall, all occupational groups found working during the COVID-19 pandemic stressful, and all groups wanted accessible and accurate communication from management and new policies, procedures, and protocols for future outbreaks. Conclusions: The use of occupational group-relevant strategies and COVID-19 protocols, as well as the on-going use of email, face-to-face meetings with debrief sessions, are needed to improve communication and support staff to fulfil their roles

A comparison of middle managers\u27 and paediatric nurses\u27 satisfaction with organisational communication

© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Aims: To explore the differences in organisational communication satisfaction between ward paediatric nurses and middle managers, and to assess whether there is a difference in organisational communication satisfaction between paediatric nurses and middle managers with different educational levels, years of nursing and managerial experience, contracted hours, area of work, age and gender. Background: Previous studies reported a connection between job satisfaction, work commitment and organisational communication; however, nurses\u27 and nursing middle managers\u27 satisfaction with organisational communication has not been extensively studied in recent years and not at all among paediatric nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative research design using online and hard copy self-reported questionnaires was used. Data were collected at one point in time from paediatric nurses and middle (nursing) managers working in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Australia. Statistical methods were employed for data analysis. Results: The middle management group were significantly more dissatisfied with organisational communication than the paediatric ward nurse group. Middle managers were found in this study to effectively manage and maintain communication lines with the personnel who reported to them; however, communication within the management cohort itself was found to be suboptimal. Conclusion: Further research to understand how horizontal and vertical communications at the nurse manager and executive level can be optimised is required. Implications for nursing management: It is anticipated that the findings from this study may increase the understanding of communication satisfaction between paediatric nurses and middle managers. The study has highlighted the need for improvement with information flow in the management cohort with the addition of extra managerial support and empowerment