Registered Nurse Perception of Patient Assignment Linking to Working Conditions and Outcomes

To examine nurse working conditions and outcomes (job satisfaction, intent to stay, and RN-rated quality of care) among registered nurses (RNs) with different perceptions of patient assignments.

A descriptive study was conducted using data from 106,439 RNs in 751 acute care hospitals that participated in the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators^® (NDNQI^® ) RN Survey. To compare the nurse working conditions and three outcomes by the two RN groups on perceptions of patient assignment, chi-square and t tests were performed with Stata version 14.

All comparisons of nurse working conditions and outcomes examined in this study were significantly different between the two RN groups on perceptions of patient assignment. RNs who rated their patient assignments to be appropriate were significantly more likely to report positive working conditions (e.g., fewer assigned patients and appropriate meal break) than those who rated their patient assignments to be inappropriate. RNs who rated their patient assignments as appropriate also reported higher job satisfaction, intent to stay in current positions, and quality of care compared with their counterparts of patient assignment perception.

Positive perceptions of patient assignments among RNs were significantly related to better nurse working conditions as well as positive outcomes.

To create nursing work environments that significantly affect nurse and patient outcomes, nursing administrators or managers should pay attention to ensure not only adequate nurse staffing levels, but also optimal nurse-to-patient assignments.