| Abstract [eng] |
Diana Pečkovskaja. Master’s Thesis in Advanced Practice Nursing: Ensuring the Need for Nursing Staff in Personal Health Care Institutions: Challenges and Solutions. Supervisor – Assist. Prof. Dr. Renata Šturienė, Consultant – Lecturer Jurgita Stirblienė. Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing. Vilnius, 2025. Introduction. Nursing staff is one of the key components of the personal health care sector, as these professionals are essential in ensuring the safety and quality of health care service. However, the shortage of nursing staff is becoming an increasingly pressing issue, negatively affecting both patients and the nurses themselves. The lack of personnel results in other health care professionals being forces to work under heavier workloads, leading to higher levels of stress, burnout, and increased staff turnover. The aim of the research work is to evaluate the processes of ensuring adequate nursing staff in personal health care institutions by identifying key challenges and possible solutions. Methods and materials. The methods applied included a literature review and qualitative study (semi – structured interviews). The study involved 10 nurses and 6 representatives of the administration. The interview questions were developed based on the analysis of relevant literature sources. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results. The study revealed that the need of nursing staff in personal health care institutions in influenced by factors such as salary, appropriate workload, good working conditions and a positive team microclimate. Nurses face challenges including excessive workload, emotional exhaustion, communication problems within the team, and a tense emotional and psychological environment. The most important measures for attracting and retaining nursing staff are competitive salaries, flexible work schedules, opportunities for professional development, and support from leadership. Conclusions. 1) Key factors determining the assurance of nursing staff needs: adequate salary and workload, favourable working conditions, flexible work schedule, support from management and the team, opportunities for professional growth. 2) Challenges faced by nursing staff: high workload leads to decreased work quality and increases the risk of burnout. Emotional difficulties, ineffective interpersonal communication, and an unfavourable work environment also become evident. 3) The study revealed that the most effective measures for retaining and attracting employees are comprehensive strategies, such as a psychologically safe and supportive environment, opportunities for professional development, clear task distribution, a sufficient number of nursing assistants, and an effective employee motivation system. Recommendations. 1) Promote a favourable microclimate in healthcare institutions by actively reducing mobbing and strengthening team relationships. 2) Organize the work process by balancing the workload. 3) Ensure a flexible work schedule. 4) Increase the number of nurse assistants to reduce the workload of nurses and improve the quality of services. 5) Develop the advanced nursing practice model by ensuring real opportunities to work according to acquired competencies. 6) Strengthen the prestige of the nursing profession in society by promoting their competencies and contribution to patient health. |
