Organization aesthetics in nursing homes.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Management
• Organizational Aesthetics
• Healthcare Administration

Background:

• Traditional management theories neglect the physical environment and human bodies in healthcare settings.
• Organizational aesthetics offers a framework to understand the impact of materiality on nursing management practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reveal the material dimensions of nursing management.
• To explore the role of physical spaces and bodies in healthcare management.
• To apply organizational aesthetics to nursing management.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative content analysis of data from observations and interviews.
• Study conducted in eight nursing homes in 2009.
• Critical interpretation of findings.

Main Results:

• Identified three key areas of organizational aesthetics in nursing management: working space/equipment functionality, organizational space relevance, and the emotional-aesthetic aspects of daily work.
• Materiality significantly influences decision-making, values, and identity formation among healthcare staff.
• Management practices shape aesthetic dimensions of care, impacting overall management.

Conclusions:

• Nurse managers must acknowledge the subtle effects of materiality and aesthetics on staff identity and workplace attractiveness.
• Physical space and the body are critical factors influencing the nursing profession's appeal and the identity of care workers.
• Integrating an understanding of material dimensions can improve nursing management and the care environment.