The association between nurse shift patterns and nurse-nurse and nurse-physician collaboration in acute care hospital units

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the impact of nurse shift patterns on nurses' collaboration with nurses and physicians in US acute care hospital units. BACKGROUND Collaboration between nurses and other healthcare providers is critical for ensuring quality patient care. Nurses perform collaboration during their shift work; thus, nurse shift patterns may influence collaboration. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence of the relationship between nurse shift patterns and collaboration of nurses with other healthcare providers. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study using data from 957 units in 168 acute care hospitals. Measures of collaboration include nurse-nurse collaboration and nurse-physician collaboration. Measures of shift patterns included shift length and overtime. Multilevel linear regressions were conducted at the unit level, controlling unit and hospital characteristics. RESULTS Overtime (more nurses working overtime or longer overtime hours) was associated with lower collaboration at the unit level; however, shift length was not. CONCLUSIONS Working overtime may negatively influence nurses' collaboration with other healthcare providers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)335-341
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Nursing Administration
Volume48
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Leadership and Management

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