UTILIZATION OF SUPPLEMENTAL AGENCY NURSES IN AN ARMY MEDICAL-CENTER

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceived impact of supp lemental agency nurses upon the quality of patient care, unit cohesive ness, and morale of permanently assigned personnel at an Army medical center. The study population consisted of 28 agency nurses and 138 per manently assigned nursing staff, The study was descriptive and explora tory in nature, utilizing the method of content analysis. Major themes that emerged from data analysis included economic, professional nursi ng, and patient care issues. Perceptions were that agency nurses provi ded the institution with necessary labor, but that the agency nurses h ad greater flexibility of hours and control over their practice. Perma nently assigned nursing staff reported that the use of agency services hindered continuity of patient care, at times reduced the quality of care, negatively affected morale among personnel, and impacted adverse ly upon the time available for mission-related training.