Organising Nurse Work Environments: (Reshaped) Roles of Nursing Teams-A Qualitative Descriptive Study

AIM: To explore how nursing teams (co)organise their work environment by going beyond caregiving.

DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study with a phenomenological approach.

METHODS: Semi-structured group interviews were conducted in 2022 with nurses and managers from 18 nursing teams in a general hospital located in the Netherlands. In each group interview, 2-3 participants per team took part. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS: The analysis identified four main themes contributing to a more supportive work environment: (1) embracing diversity, (2) stretching nursing roles, (3) raising voices, and (4) aligning nurses and managers. These themes show how nursing teams go beyond caregiving and actively shape and co-organise their work environment.

CONCLUSION: Teams that extend their roles create more supportive work environments, enhancing patient care and professional development. These findings contribute to the understanding of organising professionalism in nursing and provide insights for nursing teams striving to improve their work environments.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Nursing teams can use the four themes-as team features-to reflect upon their organising roles and engagement with their work environment. Our findings offer practical insights for nurses with responsibilities in areas such as team development and leadership. They can focus on team diversity, voicing, stretching roles, and organisational alignment, and facilitate their teams to become more assertive.

REPORTING METHOD: The Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research guideline was followed.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public involvement.