Title : Do nurses feel more satisfied about their work with lower patient ratios?
Abstract:
Problem Statement: When looking at research to support this problem, there is an abundance stating lower nurse-to-patient ratios help not only nurses, but patients achieve the outcome of going home after hospital admission. Nurses should feel they gave the best and helped every patient in the best way possible. When nurse-to-patient ratios are high, nurses walk away from the shift feeling they have failed their patients and not satisfied with the care they gave.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze bedside nurses’ satisfaction about their work with lower patient ratios.
Methods: A survey design was used to collect the data.
Inclusion Criteria: Medical surgical nurse experience, more than four patients at one time.
Analysis: A one-tailed t-test was done to analyze the data after the surveys were collected.
Implications for Practice: Nursing practice would have improved bedside attitudes, better staff development, and better mental health. Nursing research would have better data available to help hospital improve their satisfaction and research they conduct. Nursing education would improve due to nurses having time for staff development with low nurse-to-patient ratios. Nursing leadership would not have to train as many new employees if staff stayed at the bedside for a longer period. Leadership would have time to get to know their staff and their needs on the floor.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- The audience will be able to take the information they learned about nurse-to-patient ratios back home with them and be able to advocate for proper ratios to not only help nurses give the proper care, but for patients to receive care that helps them achieve the best outcomes.
- This can help the audience give better- and well-rounded care to their patients.
- Not only will this help patients achieve a more efficient outcome, but it will help with retention rates at the hospitals, nursing satisfaction, nurses’ attitudes about work, their mental health, and staff development.
