Understanding the impact of minimum staff level policies on the ward nursing team
Insights from a qualitative research study conducted in Germany
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21467481 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Felix Miedaner (0000-0003-2337-9722, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, corresponding author), Werner Barbara (University Hospital Cologne), Bernhard Roth (University Hospital Cologne), Linda Metzner (Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 155 |
| Pages | 105286 |
| Publication date | 2025-05-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Health Policy (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0168-8510 • E-ISSN: 1872-6054 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.healthpol.2025.105286 |
| PMID | 40048757 |
| OpenAlex | W4407981586 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 15 |
BACKGROUND: The implementation of legally mandated staffing levels for nurses has complex and wide-ranging effects on the organizational environment in which they operate. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the perspectives of nursing staff on these consequences. METHODS: Nine guideline-based expert interviews were conducted with nursing staff at a hospital unit in Germany where minimum nurse-to-patient ratios have been mandated since 2017. The analysis was carried out according to the summarizing qualitative content analysis with the help of the inductive category formation according to Mayring (2015). RESULTS: The participants confirmed the intended effects, e.g. the gain in time for care, but also mentioned that strict nurse-to-patient ratio guidelines for different patient types may lack practical relevance. Furthermore, the staff policy had several unintended side-effects on the nursing team: Nurses reported the formation of subgroups within the team, and that new challenges had arisen due to the wider range of personal characteristics, qualifications and experience levels on the team. CONCLUSIONS: Although the positive effects on patient care reflect the importance of minimum staff policies, the negative repercussions on the nursing team ward and its daily work processes need to be taken into account and actively managed
Nursing staff · Qualitative research · Sociology · Interprofessional Education and Collaboration · Medicine · Nursing · Nursing education and management · Nursing Roles and Practices · Psychology
| Highly cited | No |
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