Table 2 Hospital (N = 4) and unit (N = 7) profile.

Unit 1

There were 37 RNs, including 17 full time and 14 part time RNs. The nurse manager was in charge of the unit. The majority of patients was older than 50 years and stayed on average 4–5 days.

(adult)

Unit 2

There were 39 full time RNs, 17 part time RNs, and 10 casual RNs. The nurse manager was the leader on the unit. The patients stayed 1–3 weeks on average.

(adult)

Unit 3 (pediatric)

Weekdays 4 nurses and 2 support staff worked the day shift. On nights and weekends, staff consisted of 2 nurses with support people. The clinical supervisor was the clinical leader on the unit; the unit manager took care of the managerial responsibilities for the unit.

Unit 4 (pediatric)

There were 17 full time RNs, 6 part time RNs, 2 LPNs and 11RNs relief in this unit. At the time of the study, the unit did not have a manager which was partly compensated for by the senior operating officer and the patient care director. The majority of the patients were discharged at that same day.

Unit 5 (pediatric)

Altogether there were 29 permanent nurses on this unit including 1 nurse educator and 2 LPNs. Local clinical leadership was provided by the clinical supervisor, while the unit manager performed the general administrative and leadership role, with some guidance from the senior operating officer. The average length of patient stay was 3 days.

Unit 6 (pediatric)

There was over 100 nursing staff in this unit, including 65 full time staff nurses, 25 part time staff nurses, 23 special assignment staff, 12 resource persons and 9 nurse specialists. The unit was administered by the unit manager working collaboratively with the medical clinical directors and the child health services manager.

Unit 7 (pediatric)

There was 37 nursing staff including the unit manager and the child health services manager. The average daily admissions were 4–5.