The Capability of Registered Nurses to Offer Quality Health Care - Essay Example

Academic Journal Review Frame Both public and private sectors in America are undergoing health care reforms after the legislation of ACA. According to Buerhaus et al., 2012, there is a growing anticipation among RNs that unpredictable pressures and unplanned consequences may emanate from reforms in health care delivery organizations. The study involved an analysis of results attained from biennial studies of registered nurses in the country. Studies analyzed by Buerhaus et al., 2012, were conducted over the past decades and most recently in 2010. Surveys used involved an exploration of observable changes in the nursing profession. Changes observed include reforms in the workforce, workplace environment and its quality, policies applicable in staffing and remuneration, and registered nurses’ view of diverse policies in the health sector reforms. Objective of the research was to reveal the capability of registered nurses to offer quality health care in an environment that, over time, has its vital emphasis efficiency and safety. Research question According to Buerhaus et al., 2012, several known and unknown changes may impede nurses’ competence in health care delivery. The research questions the extent to which nurses are ready to counter or solve unplanned consequences that emanates from the reforms and may impede their competence to deliver quality health care under safe conditions. The main hypothesis of the study questions whether policymakers should show concern over the nursing profession’s preparedness to counter consequences that may emanate from health care reforms. Literature Review The literature review was adequate in addressing the research question formulated during the study. It provides a description of the role of Affordable Care Act (ACA) in delivering and financing healthcare systems. The literature also highlighted the reaction of the healthcare organizations to the challenges that attribute to the public and private sector reforms. Moreover, the literature has captured the research results of biennial nation-al surveys of RNs conducted over the past decades in an attempt to clarify on the confusion over whether or not the nurses have the capability and preparedness to handle the challenges of unfolding health reforms. In the literature review’s Buerhaus et al., 2012, had a chronology was such that authors started by establishing a common denominator with other health institution. Buerhaus et al., 2012, explained some of the key interventions put in place for effective health management for the present years and beyond. Then the literature proceeded to analyzing what used to happen before enactment of the health legislation. Finally, the literature touched on the anticipation of the work of the nurses and the health care delivery organs in the face of new and unfolding challenges of unprecedented health care reforms. Several variables accrued from the research. The independent variables addressed by the researchers in the literature included the timing in years that ranged between 2010 and 2014, quality of care, and safety of care interventions. The dependent variable was solely the registered nurses in hospitals. The literature supported the hypothesis since the paper emphasized on the need for consideration of the registered nurses’ profession and their preparedness to handle the unprecedented outcomes of policy changes vis-à-vis the patients. Hypothesis Should policy makers show concern over the nursing profession’s preparedness to counter consequences that may emanate from health care reforms? Methodology /Research Design The variables on the x-axis included the timing in years that ranged between 2010 and 2014, quality of care, and safety of care interventions. The variable on the y-axis was the registered nurses in hospitals. The researchers presented the x-axis in terms of years for time and compared variations for quality of care, timeline, effectiveness, and safety of care interventions. The y-axis presentation was in the form of numbers ranging from zero (0) to 100 for the registered nurses. N was equal to a representation of 1500 registered nurse. For the research, the mail research targeted 1500 Registered Nurses to whom research the firm sent questionnaires. The firm initiated a random sampling of the nurses to come up with the 1500 respondents. There was the use of probability sampling where there was high probability of no two selection made for one registered nurse. The data collection method employed was that of closed-ended interviews and structured questionnaires. As for secondary data collection, there was the use of data comparison from similar previous researches. The types of data used were both primary data that entailed firsthand information from the registered nurses through questionnaires and interviews, and secondary data from records and past research findings. There is mere mentioning of the data collection methods in the research paper without any discussion. There were no field agents in the process of data collection since most of the interviews and questionnaire administrations virtually took place and responses gotten through mails. There was no discussion on the training and ethics by the authors of the report. Data analysis involved the use of two-sided z-test for proportions’ differences and chi square for comparison of hospital-based registered nurses. Assumptions/limitations Limitations- Majority of the 116 questions used in 2010 survey similar to the previous survey were closed ended and had limited or restricted response categories such as yes/no, very good, good among others. Moreover, since the at the time of survey, ACA had just been enacted and its details were not fully understood, surveys questions focused on exploring RNs general impression of the health care legislation . Research findings According to Buerhaus et al, the results from the surveys were illustrated by use of tables and figures. Discussion of the research findings entailed checking on the existence of striking differences with regard to characteristics of the hospital employed RNs who offered direct patient care within 2010 as compared to direct survey results. The basis for analysis focused on race, sex, marital status, age, health, average work time per week, as well as the annual earnings. Use of these criteria ensured collection of more accurate, inclusive, and precise data thereby increasing chances of obtaining accurate information and therefore correct analysis. The information would therefore have accurate inference and interpretation thus being reliable. Test presentation focused on the percentage of RNs acquiring an associate degree as the highest degree over a span of ten years. The interpretation w as that over the ten-year period, there occurred a conspicuous increase from 5% in 2002 to 15% in 2010 among nurses reporting a master’s level of education. Recommendations Effort should focus on programs aimed at reducing or preventing injuries to nurses as well as patients. Consequently, more effort should be aimed at curbing violence within health care occupations thereby reducing the negative aftermaths associated with the violence. Reference Buerchaus, P., DesRoches, C., Appalebaum, S., Hess, R., Norman, L. & Donelan, K. (2012). Are Nurses Ready for Health Care Reform? A Decade of Survey Research. Nursing Economics, 30 (6), 318-330. Read More