10.01.2013 Views

The role of physical design and informal communication

The role of physical design and informal communication

The role of physical design and informal communication

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

primarily composed <strong>of</strong> the nursing station with the medication room <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>and</strong><br />

flanking both sides. <strong>The</strong> centralized nursing station includes four large desks, each<br />

equipped with computers <strong>and</strong> seating for two to three people. <strong>The</strong>se desks feature two<br />

work surface heights: a lower surface for those who are seated <strong>and</strong> a raised surface<br />

convenient for those who are st<strong>and</strong>ing. In addition, a large raised work surface is<br />

located in the center <strong>of</strong> the nursing station.<br />

2.5 Sample Size <strong>and</strong> Selection<br />

<strong>The</strong> original intent <strong>of</strong> the study was to compare the <strong>communication</strong> patterns, stress<br />

levels, <strong>and</strong> competencies <strong>of</strong> graduate nurses on two nursing units differing in <strong>physical</strong><br />

layout. Based on previous staffing patterns, the nurse managers <strong>and</strong> administrators<br />

expected that each unit would hire three to four graduate nurses. However, their<br />

projections did not align with the available pool <strong>of</strong> incoming graduate nurses. Instead,<br />

only one graduate nurse was hired on 6N. Despite this turn <strong>of</strong> events, the study<br />

continued as an exploratory case study <strong>of</strong> the multiple social, <strong>physical</strong>, <strong>and</strong><br />

technological factors impacting a graduate nurses’ orientation experience. This<br />

alternative approach was deemed worthwhile <strong>and</strong> capable <strong>of</strong> providing valuable<br />

insight into a relatively unexplored area <strong>of</strong> research because it focused on the nursing<br />

unit as an integrated workplace system with diverse care providers, not on a single<br />

graduate nurse.<br />

Since the study is an ecological analysis <strong>of</strong> the nursing unit as a system, the<br />

sample consisted <strong>of</strong> more than just the focus graduate nurse. In actuality, the sample<br />

also included a core group <strong>of</strong> personnel who worked on the unit between the hours <strong>of</strong><br />

7am <strong>and</strong> 3pm. <strong>The</strong> total number <strong>of</strong> each type <strong>of</strong> staff employed on the unit is shown<br />

below:<br />

28

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!