Paper
Saturday, 22 July 2006
This presentation is part of : Health Policy Issues
The Impact of Healthcare Reforms and the Baccalaureate Entry to Practice on the Nurses
Ann Rhéaume, PhD, École de science infirmière, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada and Margaret C. Dykeman, NP, PhD, Nursing, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada.
Learning Objective #1: Understand of the effect of health care policy and the educational upgrading of nurses on nursing practice.
Learning Objective #2: Understand the implications of these changes on the nursing workforce and skill mix.
Abstract This paper explores the impact of health care reforms and the baccalaureate entry to practice on nursing practice and the personal lives of nurses. Health care reforms during the 1990s have resulted in major changes in the way nurses' work is defined and implemented. The adoption of the baccalaureate entry to practice as basic preparation for entry has further complicated the lives of nurses in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, during this transition time. A participatory action methodology was used for this study. The process involved the following 3 stages: a critical review of the history of nursing in New Brunswick, structured interviews with 63 nurses working in a variety of settings across the province and 3 focus groups made up of the study participants to seek verification of the analysis, and direct future policy concerning patient care and work life issues. Study findings indicate that nurses' practice has changed as a result of the reforms. Nurses give less direct care to patients and have taken on a greater administrative role, while auxiliary health care workers give more direct patient care. Nurse managers also have broader administrative duties and are less visible on nursing units. Nurses remain uncomfortable with theses changes. The baccalaureate entry to practice has placed a strain on working relationships between older and younger nurses, accentuating differences in working knowledge and work ethic among these groups. Both health care reforms and the baccalaureate entry to practice have supported a broader coordination role for nurses and, concurrently, the use of a diverse skill mix in health care.

See more of Health Policy Issues
See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)