Nurse-nurse collaboration - a questionnaire study to nurses in a hospital setting [Finnish].

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe the level of collaboration among nurses in a hospital setting. The data was collected by questionnaire survey in spring 2011 from registered nurses working in a university hospital. The response rate was 45 (n = 113). Collaboration between the nurses was measured with Dougherty's and Larson's (2010) The Nurse-Nurse Collaboration (NNC) Scale, which constructs of five sub scales. The data was analysed statistically. Collaboration was actualized well in the shared process, communication and professionalism sub scales and moderate in the conflict management and coordination sub scales. The nurse's position (p = 0,029), the continuing training (p = 0,039), the work experience in health care (p = 0,029) and the form of employment (p = 0,043) had a statistical significance on nurses'collaboration. Collaboration necessitates knowledge and understanding on how nurses perceive each other and what factors promotes good collaboration. The outcome of this research can also be useful when evaluating the level of collaboration at the workplace and when planning staff training. With this knowledge collaboration can be strengthened and weaker factors improved.