Health workforce

Nursing workload, skill mix, models of care and patient outcomes in NSW

Key Findings
The quality of the working environment for nurses is a key factor in influencing patient safety and outcomes

This research, commissioned by the NSW Department of Health, examined the relationship between adverse events (such as medication errors/ patient falls), nurse satisfaction and workload levels in NSW.) The Report ‘Gluing it together: Nurses, their work environment and patient safety’ was produced.

The study found that there is a great deal of variability in the working environment experienced by nurses across NSW. The proportion of registered nurses in the ward is a more important predictor of patient outcome than hours worked. Increases in nurse staffing have largely been in nurses other than registered nurses, particularly in the general medical and surgical wards where patient acuity and turnover has increased. Stable nurse leadership, adequate resources, nurse autonomy and reduced nursing turnover improve nurses’ job satisfaction and lead to better patient outcomes.

Funding source
NSW Department of Health

CHERE staff
Jane Hall, Madeleine King

Collaborators
Christine Duffield¹, Donna Diers², Linda Pallas-O’Brien³, Michael Roche¹, Chris Aisbett⁴, Kate Aisbett⁴

1. Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, UTS
2. Yale University School of Nursing
3. Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
4. LAETA P/L