Abstract:
This qualitative study examined the effects of hospital restructuring on a group of
nurses at a community hospital. Eleven nurses were asked questions in order to gain
insight into their experience in this situation. Ten of these participants were female,
and one was male. The intent was to gather information about how restructuring has
affected their lives, including, their motivational factors and barriers to participation
in continuing education, and their descriptions of their workplace environment.
Audiotaped interviews were conducted on two occasions to obtain this data. Emergent
themes included the nurses' comments about continuing education, motivational
factors, barriers that included geography and time, reactions of co-workers,
restructuring, the College of Nurses' Quality Assurance Program including peer
feedback, and performance appraisals. The literature review compares the barriers and
motivational factors to the previous research findings. Thus, this study gave voice to
the experience of this group of nurses, working in a healthcare setting that is involved
in restructuring. This information is important to the healthcare system, since many
areas are involved in restructuring. The whole process, if it is to be successful,
depends on the frontline workers, namely the nurses. Thus, if there is anything to be
learned from this group of people, that could be used to improve this progression,
everyone would benefit from this information, were it to be implemented. Everyone is
a stakeholder in the quality of healthcare in our province. The frontline workers are
the ones that hold the vantage point to be able to provide suggestions for the changes
needed to successful. These nurses are not just motivated by work issues however,
and educating them and motivating them will also improve the care provided through
increased knowledge and enhanced self-esteem.
