Attitudes and perceptions of registered nurses during and shortly after acute care restructuring in Newfoundland and Labrador.

OBJECTIVES

To monitor changes in registered nurses' perceptions of the impact of seven years of health care restructuring in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) and to measure the attitudinal and behavioural reactions over four years comparing the St John's region, where hospital aggregation occurred, to other regions of the province.

METHODS

Data were collected on acute care nurses' personal characteristics and perceptions of the importance of reform and its impact on workplace conditions and health care quality in 1995, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Nurses' attitudes and intentions were monitored across three time periods (i.e. 1999, 2000 and 2002).

RESULTS

Perceived workplace conditions and health care quality, as well as attitudes and behaviours were generally negative. However, there was some improvement over time. The temporal sequence of scores suggests that restructuring had an adverse impact on nurses' attitudes. Few significant regional differences were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Although health services restructuring had an adverse impact on nurses' attitudes, aggregation of hospitals in St John's region was achieved without further deterioration. Provincial wide initiatives are needed to promote more positive work environments and increase the organizational effectiveness.