Performance and Importance of Nursing Jobs in General Hospitals according to Levels of Work Experience of Nursing Staff

Park, Sunhee; Kang, Hyun Sook; Hyun, Kyung Sun; Kim, Won Ok; Sok, Sohyune R; Lee, Jia

Abstract

PURPOSE
In this study differences in levels of performance and importance of nursing jobs were explored in relation to levels of work experience. METHOD: The sample was chosen by convenient sampling (N=363) and a cross-sectional study design was used. Frequencies and percentages were used for descriptive statistics. ANOVA was utilized to examine differences in performance and importance of nursing jobs among three groups of nurses, divided based on levels of work experience (less than 1 year, 1 to 4 years, and 5 or more years).
RESULTS
Regarding performance of nursing jobs, novice nurses provided more support for patients, but provided less assessment of patients (i.e., investigation of levels of nutrition and exercise, and observation of verbal, and non-verbal behavior, and levels of cognition). Regarding the importance of nursing jobs, nursing linked to exercise and activities, and post-operative and excretion care were considered to be less important among novice nurses than among experienced nurses.
CONCLUSION
Different training programs should be developed and provided to nurses according to levels of work experience. By doing so, it will be feasible to minimize differences in quality of nursing care triggered by different levels of work experience.