How do nurse managers describe clinical nurses' work arrangements? A qualitative study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Sociology of Work

Background:

• The nursing workforce is increasingly adopting alternative work arrangements.
• Understanding how these arrangements are perceived by nurse managers is crucial for workforce planning.
• Existing literature lacks a clear conceptualization of nurses' diverse work structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and describe how nurse managers characterize nurses working in alternative arrangements.
• To develop a conceptual framework for understanding nurses' work arrangements.

Main Methods:

• Grounded theory methodology was employed.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 baccalaureate-prepared nurse managers across the United States.
• Theoretical sampling guided participant selection.

Main Results:

• A typology of five distinct nurse work arrangements was developed.
• The study identified that these work arrangements are fluid, with nurses frequently transitioning between them.
• Nurses in alternative arrangements may lack consistent mentoring, potentially leading to skill or knowledge deficiencies.

Conclusions:

• The fluidity of alternative work arrangements necessitates adaptive management strategies.
• Inadequate mentoring for nurses in non-traditional roles poses a risk to patient care quality.
• Further research is needed to explore the long-term implications of alternative work arrangements on the nursing profession and patient outcomes.