Nurse-to-Nurse Collaboration: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Objective: To map predictors and outcome of collaboration between nurses, outcomes of a good collaboration, and the tools developed to evaluate nurse-nurse collaboration.

Background: Collaboration between nurses is an intraprofessional relationship between coworkers that is expressed through shared objectives, authority, and a decisional process. Studies on collaboration between nurses are very limited.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted through 4 databases.

Results: Eighteen studies were included. Nurses with higher levels of collaboration are more satisfied with their work and report less of an intention to leave their job. Greater collaboration among nurses resulted in a decrease of patient falling, hospital-acquired pressure ulcers, and a better care. Three tools have been developed to evaluate nurse-nurse collaboration: the Nurse-Nurse Collaboration Scale, the Nurse-Nurse Collaboration Behavior Scale, and the Nurse-Nurse Collaboration Between Sector.

Conclusions: Further studies should be conducted to fully understand the issue of collaboration between nurses and the factors connected to it.