Differences in Nurses’ Satisfaction and Demand for Spatial Design Among Different Departments of Nursing Units: A Case Study in China

Objectives: The study aimed to extend original research and identify operational and space-related requirements for specialization from the perspectives of nursing behavior and process. Background: Studies related to the specialty of different nursing units have been widely conducted in nursing science, while few studies have explored the specialized requirements for the physical environments of nursing units in different departments. Method: Questionnaire survey data were collected from 125 nurses in 11 clinical departments, and nurse shadowing (approximately 68 hr) was conducted in four clinical departments. Results: The questionnaire survey showed that satisfaction with care activity, visibility, and physical environment within the existing nursing unit environment was rated differently among different departments of nursing units. However, nurses in different groups of age, education, work experience, and position indicated no statistically significant difference. Behavioral observations demonstrated that the spatial and temporal distributions of activities, spatial linkages, and communication patterns varied in distinct departments. Conclusion: This research found that nurses in different departments had different evaluations of satisfaction and environmental characteristics. It also explains the differences in nursing work behaviors and processes found in various departments and sheds light on specialized requirements from the behavior perspective. The findings could help optimize the design of efficient and satisfactory nursing units in different departments.