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Safe Staffing Survey
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Washington State recently passed the Safe Nurse Staffing law. By September 2008, each hospital must establish a nurse staffing committee composed of at least half direct care nurses. This committee will develop, oversee, and evaluate a nurse staffing plan for each unit and shift of the hospital based on patient care needs, appropriate skill mix of registered nurses and other nursing personnel, layout of the unit, and national standards/recommendations on nurse staffing.

While the Safe Nurse Staffing law will help improve patient outcomes, WSNA wants to also assess the law’s impact on nurse safety, health, and well-being. To do this, we ask that you complete a short online survey that will provide some baseline information as nurse staffing committees are being established and are early in the process of carrying out their duties.

In approximately 6 months, we plan to ask you to complete a follow-up survey to see the difference these nurse staffing committees are making in terms of nurses’ lives.

Do you feel safe from work-related injury or illness in the place where you work as a nurse?
Not safe at all
Somewhat safe
Moderately safe
Very safe
Over the past 12 months, how many times have you been injured on-the-job?
0
1-2
3-4
5-6
6+
In the past year, have you been physically assaulted at work?
Yes No
In the past year, have you been threatened or experienced verbal abuse at work?
Yes No
In the past year, have you experienced any type of harassment at work?
Yes No
If yes (to previous question), who was the perpetrator (check all that apply)
Patient
Patient's family
Other health care professionals
Other workers in the facility
Stranger
Other
If "Other," who?
All in all, how satisfied would you say you are with your job?
Very
Somewhat
Not very
Not at all
Think of your job in general. All in all, what is it like most of the time?
Demanding
Pressured
Hectic
Calm
Relaxed
Stressful
Pushed
Irritating
Under control
Nerve-wracking
Hassled
Comfortable
How often do you have difficulty initiating sleep?
Never / almost never
Few times a year
More than once a month
More than once a week
More than three times a week
Almost every day
How often do you have difficulty staying asleep?
Never / amost never
Few times a year
More than once a month
More than once a week
More than three times a week
Almost every day
How often do you wake up too early and can’t fall asleep again?
Never / almost never
Few times a year
More than once a month
More than once a week
More than three times a week
Almomst every day
Do you find it difficult to wake up in the morning?
Not at all
Rarely
Not very
Somewhat
A little
Considerably
Compared to other people in your age, would you say that in general your health is …?
Excellent
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
How old are you?
Are you…
Female
Male
Are you Hispanic/Latino?
Yes No
Which of the following categories describes you best?
Asian / Asian American
Black / African American
Native American
White / Caucasian
Other
If "other," what?
Do you have a second job?
Yes No
If yes, is it a nursing job?
Yes No
How long have you been working as a nurse
How long have you been working for your current employer?
How much of your work time is spent in direct patient care activities?
None
Less than 25%
25 - 49%
50 - 74%
75% or more
Which of the following best describes the schedule you USUALLY work at your main nursing job?
Regular daytime shift
Regular night shift
Regular evening shift
Irregular schedule arranged by employer
Irregular schedule arranged by you
2 shift rotation - days / evenings
3 shift rotation - days / evenings / nights
None of the above
How many hours per each pay period are you scheduled to work (without overtime)?
On average, how many hours per each pay period do you work beyond your scheduled hours?
On your unit in the past year, do you believe the quality of nursing care has improved, declined, or stayed the same?
Improved
Declined
Stayed the same
Please take a few moments to answer the questions below. The poll will only take a few minutes and we need your input!
This information will be used to help formulate plans for moving forward and will help demonstrate the importance of safe staffing to policy makers.
How many years have you been an RN?
< 1
1 - 5
6 - 10
11 - 15
16 - 20
21 - 25
26+
Are you a:
Staff nurse
Nurse manager
Other
If "Other," what?
At what type of facility are you employed?
Other
Hospital
Nursing home / long term care
Abulatory care / clinic / office-based practice hospital
School
If "Other," what?
Do you work:
Full-time
Part-time
Per diem
Please select the description that best reflects the patient care unit in which you work:
Medical / surgical
Critical care unit
Emergency department
Intensive care unit (adult)
Intensive care unit (peds)
Intensive care unit (neonatal)
Rehab
Short-stay surgery
Intermediate care nursery
Labor and delivery
Pediatrics
Post-anesthesia / recovery
Psychiatric
Step-down / telemetry
Other
If "Other," what?
Is your facility accredited by Joint Commission?
Yes No
Does your facility hold Magnet recognition?
Yes No
Is your facility pursuing Magnet recognition?
Yes No
Which shift do you usually work?
8-hour day shift
12-hour day shift
8-hour evening shift
8-hour night shift
12-hour night shift
Rotating 12 hour shift
Rotating 8 hour shift
Weekend only day shift
Weekend only night shift
Other
If "Other," what?
What is the average daily census on the unit on which you work?
On the unit and shift on which you work:
How many RNs are typically scheduled to work?
How many LPNs are typically scheduled to work?
How many nursing assistants are typically scheduled to work?
How many other staff are typically scheduled to work?
Please specify what staff fit into the other?
How often are agency RNs utilized?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Frequently
Always
The typical staffing ratio is:
RNs
Patients
How often do you engage in non-nursing activities (deliver meal trays, transfer patients, draw labs, go to pharmacy)
Never
Less than once a month
Once a month
Once a week
Every day
What is the average number of patient admissions / discharges you perform each day?
How often are you able to take your full meal break?
Never
Less than once a month
Once a month
Once a week
Every day
On your unit in the past year, do you believe the quality of nursing care has improved, declined, or stayed the same?
Improved
Declined
Stayed the same
Do you believe the staffing on your unit and shift is sufficient?
Yes No
Would you feel confident having someone close to you receive care in the facility in which you work?
Yes No
Are you currently considering leaving your position?
Yes No
If yes, is the reason associated with inadequate staffing?
Yes No
Are you currently considering leaving nursing?
Yes No
If yes, is the reason associated with inadequate staffing?
Yes No
Do you know of anyone on your unit who has left direct care nursing due to concerns about unsafe staffing?
Yes No
Is your facility in an urban or rural setting?
Please enter the zip code of your facility (optional)
Identify the size of your facility.
Less than 100 beds
101 - 200 beds
201 - 300 beds
301 - 400 beds
401 - 500 beds
501+ beds
In your opinion, to what degree is your facility creating a safe staffing committee?
Not at all
A little
Somewhat
Very much
Don't know
Does your facility have a workplace violence policy?
Yes
No
Don't know
Are you a WSNA member?
Yes No
If “Yes,” can you please provide your WSNA member number
 

Founded in 1908, WSNA is the professional organization representing more than 15,000 registered nurses in Washington State. WSNA effectively advocates for the improvement of health standards and availability of quality health care for all people; promotes high standards for the nursing profession; and advances the professional and economic development of nurses.

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