Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Led Unit Nursing Rounds and Bedside Nurses' Job Satisfaction

Purpose. To explore and describe the relationship of APRN unit-based rounds and the job satisfaction of bedside nurses and to evaluate the nurses’ perceived value of these rounds.
Background. The role of the APRN on a hospital unit is a critical, yet unexamined factor on nursing retention and nurse’s job satisfaction, two factors linked to patient safety, outcomes and hospital Magnet status. Little research has been conducted that evaluates the relationship that the APRN role has to the bedside nurse’s job satisfaction. Unit-based nursing rounds provides teaching, coaching and mentoring, facilitating continuing professional education, the integration of evidence based practice at the bedside, and group empowerment.
Design. A descriptive, exploratory, mixed-methods project to evaluate the value of APRN led unit-based rounds.
Methods. Two open ended questionnaires were distributed to 38 nurses on an acute care inpatient unit in a Mid-Atlantic teaching hospital where APRN nursing rounds have been conducted since May 2011. Conventional content analysis was undertaken. Measurements included the practice environment scale (PES) and the job enjoyment scale (JES), collected annually by the hospital.
Results. Ninety two percent of nurses reported that APRN-led rounds increased their job satisfaction. Themes included: increased knowledge and professional development, collaboration with peers, feeling valued and supported, improved quality care, and increased critical thinking.
Conclusion. APRN led unit based rounds is a valuable strategy to improve the bedside nurses’ job satisfaction.