The System Factor

The variables in the System Factor (8) include: documentation, changes in upper management, lack of understanding of nursing, budget, no input into decision-making, regulatory/legal, technology, and staffing.

Documentation: New, excessive, or changing forms and documentation systems required by the organization.

Changes in upper management: The numerous and unpredictable changes in leadership personnel, managerial style and philosophy as well as the impact those changes have on policy and procedures that guide nursing practice.

Lack of understanding of nursing: Insufficient knowledge of administrators and managers about the work done by nurses.

Budget: Budgetary or monetary factors that affect the delivery of care.

No input into decision making: The nursing perspective is not solicited related to decision making impacting nurses’ practice at unit or system levels.

Regulatory/legal: Regulations or laws put in place by state and federal agencies that affect the delivery of health care.

Technology: The nurse is dependent on technology put in place by the organization

Staffing: The inadequacy of the staffing system put in place by the organization.