| Description |
ii, 49 p. : digital, PDF file |
| System Details |
System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. |
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Mode of access: Internet from GAO web site. |
| Note |
Title from title screen (viewed on Oct. 28, 2008). |
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"October 2008." |
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Paper version available from: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, 441 G St., NW, Rm. LM, Washington, D.C. 20548. |
| Summary |
Registered nurses (RNs) are the largest group of health care providers employed by VA's health care system. RNs are relied on to deliver inpatient care, but VA medical centers (VAMC) face RN recruitment and retention challenges. VAMCs use a patient classification system (PCS) to determine RN staffing on inpatient units by classifying inpatients according to severity of illness to determine the amount of RN care needed. GAO reviewed VAMC inpatient units for (1) the usefulness of information generated by VA's PCS; (2) key factors that affect RN retention; and (3) factors that contribute to delays in hiring RNs. GAO performed a Web-based survey of all VAMC nurse executives; interviewed VA headquarters officials and VAMC nursing officials, and conducted RN focus groups at eight VAMCs visited by GAO. The findings of GAO's survey are generalizable to all nurse executives; however, findings from the focus groups at the eight VAMCs are not generalizable. What GAO Recommends: GAO recommends that VA develop an action plan to implement a new nurse staffing system that ensures an accurate account of patient care needs and tasks performed by RNs and that VA assess the barriers to wider availability of alternate and flexible work schedules and explore ways to overcome these barriers. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Note |
"GAO-09-17." |
| Indexed Term |
nurse VA VAMCs staffing inpatient RN units patient |
| Subject |
United States. Veterans Administration -- Personnel management.
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Nurses -- Recruiting.
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Nurses -- Supply and demand -- United States.
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Flextime -- Government policy -- United States.
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| Added Title |
Department of Veterans Affairs health care : improved staffing methods and greater availability of alternate and flexible work schedules could enhance the recruitment and retention of inpatient nurses |
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Improved staffing methods and greater availability of alternate and flexible work schedules could enhance the recruitment and retention of inpatient nurses |
| Running Title |
VA registered nurse issues |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-09-17 |
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