Role Perception of the Nursing Assistants as Viewed by Head Nurses, Staff Nurses and Nursing Assistants at Tuscaloosa VA Hospital

摘要

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the nursing assistant as perceived by head nurse, staff nurses and nursing assistants on the four psychiatric units of the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. General agreement in the role of the nursing assistant by all the groups was found. Top priority items defining the nursing assistant role varied, however. Staff nurses and nursing assistants rated promptness as top priority, while only one head nurse did so. Although some discrepancies in role perception were found throughout the 4 units polled, no major discrepancies were noted. A discussion of the activities of the nursing assistant is provided. The report recommends similar studies be conducted in a psychiatric hospital with different methods of treatment and in a general medical-surgical hospital. A bibliography is included.