The characteristics of the work of the nurses in a psychiatric ward versus the utilization of working time

Introduction. The knowledge of the structure of the nurses’ working time at their workplaces constitutes a basis for taking up activities directed at the improvement of the effectiveness and better utilization of working time. That is why the measurement of working time is essential. The total nurses’ working time consists of four basic fractions: direct nursing, indirect nursing, coordination and current organization of the work in the ward and personal activities.

Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to define the utilization of working time of the nurses working in a general psychiatric ward as well as the assessment of the kind of tasks performed by the nurses.

Material and methods. The studies were conducted in a general psychiatric ward in Lublin. The research methods were: a continuous
observation (day-long observation) and snapshot observation (Tippet’s method). In the studies the standardized tools for the day-long observation and for the snapshot observation were used. In total 2 day-long observations and 912 snapshot observations were carried out.

Results and conclusions. The results obtained indicate that the direct nursing in the examined psychiatric ward amounted to 36.18% of the
working time during a shift. The remaining was devoted to non-nursing activities including indirect nursing (38.27%), coordination and current organization of work (7.89%) and personal activities (17.65%). Based on the findings of the research it can be stated that too little time is devoted to direct care focused on patients and their families. While implementing organization alterations more attention shall be paid to activities performed by nurses as well as to the performance of major responsibilities in accordance with the type of a hospital ward and patients’ care needs.