<p>The purpose was to investigate design factors in nursing station work environments, to explore and compare outcomes of centralized and decentralized designs on nurses’ psychosocial health, work behaviors and indirect hospital economic implications. Six nursing units in three US hospitals participated in the study. A triangulation method was used. The approach included a literature review, hospital statistical data, observations, a survey and two focus groups. Results showed small variations in comparable hospital statistics. Observations revealed office type duties as an ongoing activity. Sound levels exceeded those recommended in all nursing stations. Nurses in the decentralized stations experienced lower sense of control. Four design themes emerged from the focus groups; nurse specific support, sense of control, professional privacy and requirements to stay separate but connected. In conclusion there was no evidence suggesting that either type of nursing station design could be regarded as better in terms of nurses’ psychosocial health and work behavior.</p>

The purpose was to investigate design factors in nursing station work environments, to explore and compare outcomes of centralized and decentralized designs on nurses’ psychosocial health, work behaviors and indirect hospital economic implications. Six nursing units in three US hospitals participated in the study. A triangulation method was used. The approach included a literature review, hospital statistical data, observations, a survey and two focus groups. Results showed small variations in comparable hospital statistics. Observations revealed office type duties as an ongoing activity. Sound levels exceeded those recommended in all nursing stations. Nurses in the decentralized stations experienced lower sense of control. Four design themes emerged from the focus groups; nurse specific support, sense of control, professional privacy and requirements to stay separate but connected. In conclusion there was no evidence suggesting that either type of nursing station design could be regarded as better in terms of nurses’ psychosocial health and work behavior.