The impact of health care restructuring and baccalaureate entry to practice on nurses in New Brunswick.
Health care restructuring during the 1990s resulted in major changes in the way nurses' work is defined and implemented. The adoption of the baccalaureate degree as basic preparation for entry into nursing has further complicated the lives of nurses. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the impact of health care reforms and changing educational requirements on nurses in New Brunswick, Canada. Sixty-three nurses representing different practice settings were interviewed and three focus groups were held with the nurses that were interviewed. Study findings indicate that nurses' practice has changed as a result of the reforms. Nurses give less direct care to patients and have taken on a greater administrative role. The requirement of a baccalaureate degree for entry to practice has placed a strain on working relationships between older and younger nurses, accentuating differences in working knowledge and work ethic among these groups.
Rhéaume
Ann
A
Ecole de Science Infirmière, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé et des Services Communautaires, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Dykeman
Margaret
M
Davidson
Patricia
P
Ericson
Penny
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003363:Cost Control; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D009509:New Brunswick; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology