Job rotation in nursing: a study of job rotation among nursing personnel from the literature and via a questionnaire

AIMS: To obtain information on job rotation among nursing personnel from the literature and via a questionnaire. BACKGROUND: A nursing career no longer means a series of steps leading up a hierarchy. It has become more like a process of individual growth, involving improvement of employee expertise and skills. Job rotation in connection with career development in a Finnish hospital is considered essential, and participating in job rotation is one requirement for newly vacant nursing posts. METHODS: Describing job rotation by means of reference to literature, and studying a survey on attitudes of ophthalmic nurses (n = 84) to job rotation. RESULTS: There has been little theoretical or empirical research on job rotation. In this study, one in three had participated in job rotation that was most often considered a positive experience. Self-development was rated substantially useful, but fewer were interested in participating in various kinds of developmental activities. CONCLUSION: Employee's motivation is the foundation of successful development activity, e.g. job rotation.