SHORTAGE OF NURSES’ IMPACT ON QUALITY CARE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

The nursing shortage is a problem that is being experienced world-wide. It is a problem that, left unresolved, could have a serious impact on the quality health care. The study was conducted as Malaysia was one of the countries affected by the shortage of nurse work force and the quality of care was declining. The aim this study is to explore nurses’ perception on the key factors contributing to nursing shortage and quality of care at tertiary hospital in Klang Valley. This study was conducted using a qualitative approach. Eight respondents were purposively selected from tertiary hospital in Klang Valley. Data was collected through semi structured interviews and analysed using qualitative content analysis. The study revealed that respondents have the same understanding that shortage of resources has negative impact on provision quality of care. Two major themes and four sub themes emerged these are: 1) Nurses ratio 2) Patient care 3) Documentation 4) Non nurse role. Inappropriate nurse-patient ratios and inadequate physical resources negatively affected nurse’s perceptions of the quality of the nursing practice environment. With adequate staffing levels and appropriate allocation of physical resources, is achievable to resolve the problems and thus improve outcomes. The motivation of this study is due to fact that shortage of nurses might affect their quality of care.