Nursing and the quality care

The work environment in which nurses provide care to patients can determine the quality and safety of patient care. As the largest health care workforce, nurses apply their knowledge, skills, attitude, and experience to care for the various and changing needs of patients. A large part of the demands of patient care is centered on the work of nurses. When care falls short of standards, whether because of resource allocation (e.g., workforce shortages and lack of needed medical equipment) or lack of appropriate policies and standards, nurses shoulder much of the responsibility. This reflects the continued misunderstanding of the greater effects of the numerous, complex health care systems and the work environment factors.

Understanding the complexity of the work environment and engaging in strategies to improve its effects is essential to higher-quality, safer care. In this paper I will discuss one strategy geared at improving that many are supporting, nationwide, while looking at the effects it has on the professional nursing practice. The work environment in which nurses provide care to patients can determine the quality and safety of patient care. As the largest health care workforce, nurses apply their knowledge, skills, attitude, and experience to care for the various and changing needs of patients. A large part of the demands of patient care is centered on the work of nurses.