Aged care nursing in Queensland - the nurses' view

Eley, Robert and Hegney, Desley and Buikstra, Elizabeth and Fallon, Anthony Bruce and Plank, Ashley and Parker, Victoria (2007) Aged care nursing in Queensland - the nurses' view. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 16 (5). pp. 860-872. ISSN 0962-1067

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Abstract

Aims and objectives: Through comparison of two studies undertaken three years apart the opinions of nurses working in aged care facilities in Queensland were determined. Results will support policy planning for the Queensland Nurses Union.
Background: An ageing population in Australia is placing increased demands on residential aged care facilities. In Queensland the national situation is exacerbated by an influx of retirees from other states and territories. The ongoing problem of shortages of nurses in the workforce may be addressed by gaining further insight into the nurses’ own views of their conditions and experiences.
Methods: 1000 nurses working in public and privately owned residential aged care facilities were surveyed by postal questionnaire in 2004. Results were compared with data collected in an identical study in 2001.
Results: Respondents offered their opinions on working hours and conditions, professional development and experiences in nursing. The predominately female aged care nursing workforce is aging. Reported work place violence has increased substantially since 2001. Some improvements are reported in staff numbers, skill mix and workplace policies. Nurses expressed very serious concerns about pay, workload, stress, physical and emotional demands and staff morale.
Conclusion: Working conditions for nurses in the residential aged care sector in Queensland must be addressed in order to retain the current nurses and to encourage new nurses to replace those that retire.
Relevance to clinical practice: The findings of this study provide information not only for the Queensland Nurses Union but also policy makers and nurse managers both nationally and internationally on areas that need to be addressed to maintain the required workforce within the aged care sector.

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Item Type:	Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	Deposited in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Nursing (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Nursing (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Date Deposited:	11 Oct 2007 00:48
Last Modified:	02 Jul 2013 22:39
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Australia; nurses’ roles; elder care; workforce issues; gerontologic nursing; nurse attitudes; staff nurses
Fields of Research (2008):	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170107 Industrial and Organisational Psychology 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services > 1503 Business and Management > 150305 Human Resources Management 11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1110 Nursing > 111001 Aged Care Nursing
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008):	C Society > 92 Health > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920210 Nursing
Identification Number or DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2006.01696.x
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/1620

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