Nurses in the Workplace

The recent nursing shortage and dramatic shifts in the health system underscore the importance of gaining a better understanding of the dynamics of the workplace for nurses. While most studies about nurses draw their sample from one institution or from several similar facilities, Nurses in the Workplace examines the nurse labor force from the perspectives of employers in four health care industries–acute care hospitals, nursing homes, home health care agencies, and hospices. The editors present an extensive literature review focusing on the causes and impacts of the nursing shortage, introduce national projections for the need for nurses in various states, and scrutinize recent policies adopted by individual states. Results of the extensive survey for hospitals, nursing homes, community-based employment, and temporary staffing agencies are discussed and integrated with interpretations of market forces including employer and nurse behavior and implications of corporatization. A former hospital administrator, a nurse executive, and a retention and recruitment specialist offer their viewpoints, and contributors probe the implications for public, institutional, and professional policy makers. Exploring a crucial issue for nursing and for the health care system in general, Nurses in the Workplace makes essential reading for nurse executives and health care administrators as well as advanced students in these areas. “The content of this book is unique…. The book would be very useful for graduate students in health administration and nursing administration courses.” –Sylvia McSkimming, St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center “A penetrating… examination of nursing from the perspectives of four different health care industries. Acute Care Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Health Care Agencies, and Hospices…. The wide ranging discussions touch deeply on issues related to the status of nursing and nurses and their working conditions. Important reading for nursing executives and managers as well as health planners and administrators.” –Journal of the Institute of Health Education