Employee response to major organizational redesign

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Studies
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Healthcare organizations frequently implement major organizational redesign initiatives.
• The impact of these redesign processes on frontline employees, particularly nursing staff, remains under-researched.
• Understanding employee perceptions is crucial for managing change effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the perceived impact of organizational redesign on nursing staff.
• To explore the challenges and concerns faced by nurses during major organizational change in acute care settings.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing semi-structured focus group interviews.
• Data collection across all shifts (days, evenings, nights) at two acute care hospitals undergoing redesign.
• Analysis of nurse perceptions regarding role changes, relationships, resources, and well-being.

Main Results:

• The initial phase of organizational redesign is perceived as highly turbulent and challenging by nursing staff.
• Key concerns include changes in roles and responsibilities, disruption of work group dynamics, and reduced resource availability.
• Nurses reported negative alterations in their physical and psychological states and expressed concerns about the quality of care.

Conclusions:

• Organizational redesign significantly impacts nursing staff, particularly during the early stages.
• Addressing staff concerns regarding role clarity, team cohesion, resource allocation, and well-being is essential for successful change management.
• The findings highlight the need for supportive strategies to mitigate the negative effects of redesign on nurses and patient care.