The impact on organizations, individuals, and care when nurses are also family caregivers

Abstract

Background: There can be negative consequences to family caregiving as an employee.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of family caregiving as a nurse (double-duty nurse caregivers) on the nurse, colleagues, and organization.

Methods: Two surveys were completed by double-duty nurse caregivers and healthcare organization leaders on their demographics, and support for/impact of family caregiving. Descriptive statistics, chi squares, t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used. Text from open-ended questions were used to inform the quantitative data.

Findings: Without organizational policies and a workplace culture that support family caregiving, managers are limited in the types and level of support they can provide.

Discussion: Healthcare leaders perceived family caregiving to have a larger impact on the nurses' own health and work performance than nurses themselves. Family caregiving was identified as a potential contributor to burnout; and lack of workplace support for family caregiving may influence turnover intentions.

Keywords: Family caregiving; Management; Nurses; Work culture; Work-family.