Research Database Assignment -Guidelines
PURPOSE
I am to locate and document research databases that relate to a significant clinical nursing
issue of my choice. I have chosen:
“WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF MANDATORY OVERTIME ON PATIENT” CARE?
The research databases may be labeled as such, or may be collections of research studies,
reports, articles and/or findings that are not specifically called databases.
Please note: Individual journals and journal articles do not meet the criteria for a research
database, and therefore, do not qualify for this assignment.
REQUIREMENTS
- Locate a total of five research databases or collections related to this topic. You may
search for these in various locations, e.g., the Internet, an intranet at work, print
publications, etc. You may NOT choose the databases such as MEDLINE, PUBMED
(which also indexes MEDLINE), GOOGLE SCHOLAR, and CINAHL. - Instead, the expectation is to add to the knowledge of evidence-based sources.
Government sites such as those at the National Institutes of Health offer collections of
research on a variety of subjects. The key to choosing the databases is that each contains
research-based evidence that also pertains to your topic of interest. - Review each database or collection to gather information to create a description for the
assignment. Each description must:
a. identify the title of the research database;
b. describe the location of the research database in a way that a reader could find it. This
could be a URL or an APA citation;
c. name owner or publisher of the source;
d. describe the research database. This must be in your own words and not copied and
pasted from the original source. Include the purpose of the database and the subject matter
it covers. This may be four or five sentences; and
e. explain how the research found in the database relates to my topic of interest “WHAT IS
THE IMPACT OF MANDATORY OVERTIME ON PATIENT” This may be an
additional paragraph, perhaps two or three sentences.
EXAMPLE**
THE IMPACT OF MANDATORY OVERTIME ON PATIENT CARE 2
The following is an example of a description for JBI:
Title of source: Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery
Location of source (URL)
Owner or publisher: Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery
(JBI)
EXAMPLE
The following is an example of a description for JBI:
Title of source: Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery
Location of source (URL
Owner or publisher: Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery
(JBI)
Describe (in your own words) the research database or collection of research including the
purpose and the subject matter it covers:
The Joanna Briggs Institute is an international not-for-profit Research and Development
Organization that provides evidence-based resources for healthcare professionals in
nursing, midwifery, medicine, and allied health. Those with membership are able to obtain
evidence-based practice information from systemic reviews, evaluation reports, electronic
journals, best-practice information, and consumer healthcare information.
Explain how the source relates to your topic of interest:
JBI is relevant to my topic of interest because it provides reports, systemic reviews, journal
Articles, and best-practice information on current issues in healthcare. Hospital
readmissions are a major issue in healthcare. The database had several resources
addressing the problem of hospital readmissions and identifying strategies for
improvement.
The impact of mandatory overtime on patient care
Title: ANA (American Nurses Association)
THE IMPACT OF MANDATORY OVERTIME ON PATIENT CARE 3
Location:
Publisher or owner: American Nurses Association
Description of the database: ANA is the sole full-service professional organization that
represents the interests of more than 3.1 million registered nurses of the nation. This is achieved
through the association’s state nurses associations, its constituents, as well as organizational
affiliates. ANA advances the profession of nursing through fostering high nursing practice
standards, promoting nurses eights at the workplace, projecting realistic and positive nursing
views, and finally, lobbying the regulatory agencies and Congress on the health care issues that
affect the public and nurses themselves.
The database’s research:
According to the research done on the database, for patients to be able to offer the best
possible care to patients, their mental and physical well-being is very essential. Evidence
indicates that working for extensive or long hours, or even beyond the scheduled shift results to
negative nurse and patient outcomes. Nurse overtime should not be used as the solution for
understaffing (American Nurses Association, 2014).
Title: AONE (The American Organization of Nurses Executives).
Location:
The database was began in 1967 and its aim is providing professional development,
leadership, research, and advocacy for advancing patient care and nursing practice; promoting
THE IMPACT OF MANDATORY OVERTIME ON PATIENT CARE 4
nursing leadership excellence, as well as shaping public policies globally for health care. AONE
is an American Hospital Association’s subsidiary. The organization uses expert nursing
leadership and innovation to shape healthcare.
The database’s research:
Nursing shortage is a critical issue and some of its effects include reduced elective
surgeries’ volume, closed beds, and diversion on emergency rooms. According to surveys,
mandatory overtime is currently widespread and it has been initiated or nurses are asked to
remain voluntarily in care units following completion of scheduled duty tour. Using mandatory
overtime leads to a negative nursing profession’ image and the hospital environment being
characterized as unsafe and stressful (The American Organization of Nurses Executives, 2003).
Title: AACN (The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses).
Publisher or owner: The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
Description of the database:
This is the hugest specialty nursing organization globally. It represents the interests of
over five hundred thousand nurses whose main role is caring for the critically and acutely ill
patients. Its dedication is offering the members with the resources and knowledge that is
essential for providing optimal care to the critically ill.
The database’s research:
Mandatory overtime is both a patient safety and workplace issue. With mandatory
overtime, nurses cannot refuse the needed extra hours because of the feeling that they are unable
to provide safe, sufficient patient care and fatigue. It leads to increased stress physical and
THE IMPACT OF MANDATORY OVERTIME ON PATIENT CARE 5
mental fatigue that results to errors, and less patient comfort (The American Association of
Critical-Care Nurses, 2014).
Title: MNA (The Massachusetts Nurses Association)
Location
Publisher or owner: Massachusetts Nurses Association
Description of the database:
The association was founded in 1903 and since then, it is acknowledged as the most
effective and powerful voice on health care and nursing in the Commonwealth. It has been
responsible for many major transformations as far as nursing is concerned.
The database’s research:
Using overtime excessively is associated with serious dangers. It is associated with many
severe accidents, lower productivity, increased costs as a result of turnover and absenteeism,
more employer medical costs, and fatigue-related injuries and accidents. It also increases the
opportunities for accidents and mistakes that can damage financial performance and brand image
severely (Massachusetts Nurses Association, 2011).
Title: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Location:
project-study-state-caps-on-mandatory-overtime-for-nurse.html
Publisher or owner: Robert Atkins
Description of the database:
The foundation specializes on research regarding vital nursing issues. It also develops
policies that health care institutions can apply to ensure the most successful patient care.
The database’s research:
THE IMPACT OF MANDATORY OVERTIME ON PATIENT CARE 6
There is a discussion on the state rules that cap mandatory overtime hours for nurses.
This aims at preventing errors that result from long working hours and inadequate rest between
shifts. The conducted study concludes that policy-makers should be aware of the effects of the
remedies they develop for every nursing challenge (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2012).
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References
American Nurses Association. (2014). Overtime Issues.