Classification issues in ambulatory care nursing

Classification issues in ambulatory care nursing present an exciting area for future research and development that is only beginning to be tackled. It will be important to validate both the conceptual basis of the nursing workload model and the tools and methods used to measure workload. Comparative studies are needed in a variety of settings to reach consensus about the variables affecting workload in ambulatory nursing, and ways to measure them. Timed observation and validation studies are needed as new reporting and evaluation instruments are developed. At NIH a validation study looking at a modification of the taxonomy of ambulatory nursing practice (Verran, 1981) is underway, using a national sample of nursing administrators (Hastings, 1984). Studies to establish interrater reliability and to refine criteria for classifying patients and nursing activities are also needed.