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Hospital restructuring and downsizing in Canada: are less experienced nurses at risk?
1Department of Organizational Behavior, Schulich School of Business, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3.
Psychological Reports
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Newly hired nurses perceive hospital restructuring and downsizing more negatively than experienced staff. This impacts nurse retention and may exacerbate future nursing shortages.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Nursing Studies
- Organizational Psychology
Background:
- Hospitals face resource constraints, leading to restructuring and downsizing.
- These changes significantly impact nursing staff morale and well-being.
- Understanding the differential effects on nurses based on tenure is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how hospital restructuring and downsizing affect nursing staff.
- To analyze these effects based on nurses' years of experience (tenure).
- To identify implications for hospital administration and the nursing profession.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based survey was administered to 1,362 staff nurses.
- Data collected focused on perceptions of hospital changes and their health.
- Analysis considered nursing staff tenure as a key variable.
Main Results:
- Nurses with less tenure reported more negative perceptions of restructuring and downsizing.
- Younger, less tenured nurses reported better health outcomes.
- Tenure was a significant factor in how nurses experienced organizational changes.
Conclusions:
- Hospital restructuring and downsizing disproportionately affect less experienced nursing staff.
- Negative experiences may reduce commitment to the nursing profession.
- Attracting and retaining early-career nurses is vital to prevent future workforce shortages.