Relocation: the impact on staff nurses

To stay competitive in the marketplace, many hospitals are renovating their physical plants to a more hotel-like appearance. Others are downsizing their units, reflecting the decreased demand for acute care beds. As these changes are made, patients and nurses are temporarily relocated to other places in the institution. How does this relocation of nurses impact their professional functioning and self-esteem? Based on their study of four groups of nurses who were relocated, the authors discuss their recommendations for making relocation a positive experience.