Transitioning from Nurse-Patient Ratios to Workload Intensity Staffing: What Helps and Hinders the Change.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the facilitators and barriers in implementing a workload intensity (WI) tool.

Background: A WI tool was developed to quantify patient needs and more evenly disperse workload among nurses.

Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was used. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 nurses on 5 inpatient units. Questions focused on the factors that helped or hindered the change transition to workload intensity staffing (WIS).

Results: WI was perceived as a positive change. Five themes were uncovered as facilitators and barriers to the change: resistance to change, intense workloads, supportive organizational culture, resources/training, and evaluation.

Conclusions: Understanding barriers and facilitators to change is important for successful implementation of WIS. To promote success, leaders should provide support to staff and ensure availability of adequate resources.