Effects of hospital restructuring on full time and part time nursing staff in Ontario

This study examined the effects of hospital restructuring and downsizing on full-time and part-time nursing staff. Data were collected from 1362 nursing staff, a 35% response rate, using anonymous questionnaires. Measures included personal and situational characteristics, hospital restructuring and downsizing variables, work outcomes and psychological well-being indicators, and work-family experiences. Although full and part-time nurses were significantly different on most personal and demographic characteristics, both groups experienced and described hospital restructuring and downsizing similarly. Full-time nurses reported greater emotional exhaustion and poorer health and indicated greater absenteeism and lower intention to quit.