In the Partnership Nursing System (PNS) developed by nurses at Fukui University Hospital, two nurses partnered for one year to provide primary care for patients. This study examined the effectiveness of PNS.
From March to October 2014, we collected data about nursing management and overtime, and a questionnaire was administered before and after PNS in A ward in an acute care hospital (PNS group). Similar data were also collected from B ward of the same hospital (control group), where two nurses worked together during a shift but pairings changed daily. Questionnaires were completed by 24 nurses in the PNS group and 16 in the control group.
In the PNS group, average overtime per nurse decreased 0.9 hours/month (p=0.090), although nursing management data showed a reduction in the average length of stay. In the control group, average overtime per nurse increased 0.3 hours/month (p=0.459). The PNS group reported reduced workload, increased help from others, and increased job satisfaction, but the control group did not experience such improved productivity. Overall, for the PNS group, there was a trend of decreased overtime and increased job satisfaction.

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