Survey Stats

In October, the Department of Nursing participated in the National Database for Nursing Quality Indicators survey for a second time. Though regular review of nursing satisfaction is required of Magnet designated hospitals, it’s valued for its role in advancing nursing practice.

“The NDNQI survey not only measures clinical outcomes and nursing satisfaction, it also allows us to benchmark against other acute-care hospitals,” says Patty Dawson, coordinator, Magnet and quality outcomes. “And for the first time, we have the opportunity to compare these results to those from the 2004 survey.”

Nationwide, some 144,000 nurses from 382 hospitals participated, with an average response rate of 64 percent. At Hopkins, this rate was a whopping 80 percent—1,530 nurses across 70 units—up from 73 percent in 2004. “That means our nurses are very engaged and eager to shape their work environments,” says Dawson.

Nurses answered questions from both an individual and a workgroup perspective, evaluating 11 measures: task, nurse-nurse interaction, nurse-physician interaction, decision making, autonomy, professional status, pay, professional development, nursing management, nursing administration and job enjoyment.

From both perspectives, nurses gave high marks for task (regular job activities), nurse-physician interaction and professional status—how their contributions are recognized outside of nursing. Also satisfying for nurses here are their level of autonomy and opportunities for professional development.

Results are now being shared at the department and unit levels so that each area can evaluate their strengths and focus on areas for improvement. Soon though, says Dawson, those in the pockets of excellence in the institution—that 25 percent of JHH units that scored in the top quartile—will be called upon to share their best practices.

-From Hopkins Nurse, Spring 2006