In an on-line survey conducted by the American Nurses Association in the fall of last year, over 7000 nurses from around the country registered their belief that deteriorating working conditions have led to a decline in the quality of nursing care. Specifically, nearly 75 percent of nurses surveyed felt that the quality of care at the facility in which they work has declined over the past two years, while 56 percent of nurses surveyed believed that the time they have available for patient care has decreased. In addition, more than 40 percent of nurses surveyed said they would not feel comfortable having a family member or someone close to them be cared for in the facility in which they work. The survey further found that nurses are putting their patients and their patients=safety ahead of their own personal and professional needs. The majority of respondents skip work breaks to care for their patients, are pressured to work overtime and report that they suffer from increased stress-related illness. ANA will be conducting a survey of health and safety issues utilizing the same on-line format and plans to publish the results in time for a National Nursing Summit meeting on the nursing shortage, which will take place in July 2001.
Learning Objectives: Identify nurses' greatest concerns about working conditions in relation to patient care. Identify nurses' greatest concerns about working conditions and their own safety and health. Describe the effects of current working conditions on nurses' plans for future work.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.