Rationing of nursing care in a developing country: A cross-sectional study

This study aimed to determine the effect of nurses' work environment, individual and work schedule features on the rationing of nursing care.

Rationing of nursing care is a concern in healthcare settings worldwide, as it is associated with negative outcomes for both patients and nursing staff.

Little is known about the precursors of rationing of nursing care in developing countries.

This descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study was conducted with 405 nurses in Türkiye. Data were collected Nurse Information Form, Basel Extent of Rationing of Nursing Care-R and Nursing Work Index-The Practice Work Environment Scale. The study was reported following the STROBE and RANCARE guideline.

Nurses' mean rationing of nursing care score was 1.58 ± 0.59, and the mean work environment perception score was 2.58 ± 0.47, with no statistically significant relationship between the scale scores. However, working ward, working hours and working schedule significantly affected the total rationing of nursing care scores.

In this study, contrary to the literature, no relationship was found between the rationing of nursing care and the perception of the work environment. Supporting the literature, nurses' individual/work schedule features affected the rationing of nursing care.

Improving nurses' work schedule features and nurse staffing may help reduce the rationing of nursing care.

This study emphasised the importance of nurses' work schedule features and nurse staffing in the rationing of nursing care. The data from this study can guide nurse managers in identifying factors related to work schedules that may affect the rationing of nursing care and strategies to follow to make the necessary improvements.