Impact of restructuring scale: an instrument to measure effects of hospital restructuring

As restructuring and downsizing occur throughout the workplace, many individuals are either losing their jobs or experiencing job insecurity. The study of downsizing is particularly important within the healthcare system where hospital mergers and closings, and severe cutbacks, have dramatically reduced healthcare services. Since nurses are the largest group employed by hospitals, they are the most likely to be affected by recent cutbacks. All this leads to the conclusion that a measure of the impact of restructuring is needed. This study reports on the Impact of Restructuring Scale--a new scale containing acceptable psychometric properties--that quantifies the effects of restructuring on organizations and individuals. The scale was applied to a sample of 1,363 nurses employed in hospitals undergoing restructuring and downsizing. The nurses returned a self-report questionnaire in which they reported their reactions to hospital restructuring and to specific job stressors.