Co-worker characteristics and nurses' safety-climate perceptions.

PURPOSE: Previous research indicates that nurses' safety-climate perceptions are influenced by individual nurse characteristics, leadership, staffing levels and workplace structure. No literature was identified that explored the relationship between nurses' safety climate perceptions and staffing composition in a particular hospital unit. This paper aims to fill some of the gaps in the research in this area. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Data supplied by 430 registered nurses working in two Midwestern US hospitals were analyzed to co-worker characteristics such as education, licensure, experience and full- or part-time status. FINDINGS: Registered nurses working in hospitals with proportionally more-experienced nurses perceived their workplaces to be significantly safer for patients. Surprisingly, co-worker licensure, education and full- or part-time status did not significantly influence nurses' safety climate perceptions. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Findings indicate that safety-climate perceptions vary significantly between hospital units and experienced nurses may act as a resource that promotes a positive safety climate. Hospitals retaining experienced nurses may potentially reduce errors. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The paper illustrates that the results highlight the importance of providing nurses with an environment that encourages retention and creates a workplace where experienced nurses' skills are best utilized.