7.4.1 A critical analysis of the evidence-base to nurse staffing policies in Denmark, Finland, Portugal, England & Ireland (157)

Moira Attree, Lecturer In Nursing, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom Co authors: Rittaa-Liisa Aari, Mervi Flinkman, Breeda Howley, Marta Lima-Basto & Lizabeth Uhrenfeldt moira.attree@manchester.ac.uk

Abstract:

This paper presents a critical analysis of the evidence base to current nursing workforce policies in five European Countries (Denmark, Finland, Portugal, England and Ireland). The review aimed to identify the extent to which current evidence about nurse staffing is implemented in national healthcare policies. The paper will contribute to the development of evidence-based policy and practice by stimulating critical awareness and debate about the current evidence-base to nursing workforce healthcare policies. Nurse staffing is a contentious issue of international importance. Nursing represents the principal component of healthcare workforce expenditure; consequently nursing workforce variation has major resource implications. Many countries are currently experiencing nursing shortages, which are predicted to worsen as the current nursing workforce ages and retires (WHO 2006). Nurse job satisfaction, occupational stress, burnout, recruitment and retention are international healthcare workforce management issues (Aiken et al 2001; Rafferty et al 2007). Various nursing workforce policies have been implemented to address these issues at local and national levels; however, the evidence base to these policies has not been analyzed. Evidence exists of a link between nurse staffing and job satisfaction, occupational stress, burnout, recruitment and retention. Aiken et al (2002) and Rafferty et al (2007) linked better nurse staffing with higher nurse job satisfaction and lower burnout. Evidence demonstrating the relationship between nurse staffing and patient outcomes is also emerging (Aiken et al 2002; Rafferty et al 2007). The association between better nurse staffing and lower patient mortality has been identified by Aiken et al (2002) and Rafferty et al (2007). The impact of this evidence on workforce policy-making is unverified. The analysis concludes with a synopsis of evidenced-based practice in nursing workforce healthcare policy-making and a deliberation of the challenges to evidence-based policy-making.

Biography:

The authors are all Scholars of the European Association of Nurse Scholars (EANS)and are members of the EANS Nursing Management Workforce collaborative research group. The group share an interest in nursing practice management and development. The research group aims are to promote evidence-based nursing management practice and policy-making across Europe. Drs Moira Attree, Breeda Howley, Marta Lima-Basto have completed Doctoral study. Rittaa-Liisa Aari, Mervi Flinkman and Lizabeth Uhrenfeldt have completed their Doctoral Programmes and are close to submission of their dissertations.