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. 2014 Apr;37(2):90-7.
doi: 10.1002/nur.21582. Epub 2014 Jan 9.

Night and day in the VA: associations between night shift staffing, nurse workforce characteristics, and length of stay

Pamela B de Cordova  1 , Ciaran S Phibbs, Susan K Schmitt, Patricia W Stone
Affiliations

Night and day in the VA: associations between night shift staffing, nurse workforce characteristics, and length of stay

Pamela B de Cordova et al. Res Nurs Health. 2014 Apr.

Abstract

In hospitals, nurses provide patient care around the clock, but the impact of night staff characteristics on patient outcomes is not well understood. The aim of this study was to examine the association between night nurse staffing and workforce characteristics and the length of stay (LOS) in 138 veterans affairs (VA) hospitals using panel data from 2002 through 2006. Staffing in hours per patient day was higher during the day than at night. The day nurse workforce had more educational preparation than the night workforce. Nurses' years of experience at the unit, facility, and VA level were greater at night. In multivariable analyses controlling for confounding variables, higher night staffing and a higher skill mix were associated with reduced LOS.

Keywords: human capital; length of stay; night shift; nursing workforce; staffing.

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