Background

In January 1999, the Nursing Task Force presented its report, Good
Nursing, Good Health: An Investment for the 21st Century. The Ontario
government accepted all the recommendations of the Task Force and
moved to implementation. The Nursing Research Committee of RNAO
decided to find out nurses' perceptions of changes in practice settings
since the release of the report.

Purpose

The purpose of this survey was to determine the extent to which
registered nurses have seen specific changes in their work environments
since the task force recommendations were released. This report
focuses on the findings to the following research objectives:

1. Determine the extent to which additional nursing positions have
   been created and the nursing budget has changed since March 1999.
2. Determine the extent to which nurses and nurse managers have
   experienced increased opportunity to participate in decision making
   that directly influences practice since March 1999.
3. Identify the presence and accessibility of a senior individual
   accountable for nursing resources at the senior management level.
4. Assess nurses' perceptions of changes in flexibility of work
   hours, in overall professional satisfaction, in opportunities
   for continued and advanced education, and for the expansion of
   clinical expertise and professional recognition in the practice
   setting.
5. Determine nurses' perceptions of the quality of orientation
   programs and the extent to which changes have been noted in the
   practice environment.