A Balancing Act: Managing Workload While Improving Nurse and Patient Satisfaction.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Practice
• Patient Safety

Background:

• High workload and unpredictable shift end times negatively impact healthcare staff.
• These factors contribute to increased employee turnover, dissatisfaction, and low engagement.
• Existing staffing models may not adequately support nurse well-being or patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance nurse and patient satisfaction in a hospital outpatient gastrointestinal endoscopy unit.
• To transition from a three-shift to a two-shift staffing model.
• To establish defined expectations and predictable shift end times for nursing staff.

Main Methods:

• Transitioned from a three-shift to a two-shift procedure staffing model.
• Implemented defined expectations and predictable shift end times.
• Utilized nurse satisfaction surveys and patient satisfaction data for evaluation.

Main Results:

• Nurse turnover decreased by 82% within six months.
• Nurse-reported burnout decreased by 62%, with significant improvements in job satisfaction and involvement in decisions.
• Overall patient satisfaction improved by 1.94% post-implementation.

Conclusions:

• A two-shift model with predictable end times positively impacts nurse satisfaction and retention.
• Shared governance models empower nurses, leading to improved unit decision-making and satisfaction.
• Optimized staffing models can enhance both staff well-being and patient care outcomes.