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The reality of nursing time: how nurses spend their shifts

Alex Walsby, Sharon Williams, John Gammon Orcid Logo, Stephanie Best

British Journal of Nursing, Volume: 33, Issue: 20, Pages: 968 - 974

Swansea University Authors: Sharon Williams, John Gammon Orcid Logo

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Abstract

Background:Nurse staffing levels are increasingly challenged while pressures on healthcare systems are rising. There is a clear need to optimise efficiency in healthcare delivery in order to deliver safe, effective and quality health care.Aim:To understand how nurses working shifts spend their time...

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Published in: British Journal of Nursing
ISSN: 0966-0461 2052-2819
Published: Mark Allen Group 2024
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67058
Abstract: Background:Nurse staffing levels are increasingly challenged while pressures on healthcare systems are rising. There is a clear need to optimise efficiency in healthcare delivery in order to deliver safe, effective and quality health care.Aim:To understand how nurses working shifts spend their time and explore opportunities to improve efficiency in care delivery.Method:A time-motion study was conducted on three acute care wards in a district general hospital in West Wales; 13 nurses were observed over 14 shifts, each activity undertaken was recorded in real time.Findings:In all, 109 hours were observed. Approximately half of nurses’ time is spent delivering direct patient care, with medications administration taking the majority of time.Conclusion:A number of recommendations are made involving processes and workforce modelling with the aim of improving efficiency and safety. Further research would be required to assess the impact of their introduction.
Keywords: Nursing time; Nursing duties; Nursing tasks; Time motion studies; Efficiency; Multiprofessional working
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Issue: 20
Start Page: 968
End Page: 974