This study responded to a documented need for research focusing on nursing care and quality of hospital care, with a focus on evaluation of the organization and delivery of care in the hospital setting (IOM, 1996). This research used data from a nationwide sample of 40 inpatient units providing care to people with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to examine the effects of nursing unit characteristics and different types of nursing units on clinical integration on the unit level. Secondary data analysis included regression techniques and path modeling to estimate the direct and indirect effects of unit staffing, floating, rotating, years of professional experience, and education on clinical integration. The study examined these effects on units within magnet hospitals and specialized AIDS units, and clinical integration of care. A major finding within the study demonstrated that unit level staffing had a significant influence on clinical integration of nursing care, regardless of whether or not it was an AIDS unit, a magnet hospital unit, or a conventionally organized unit. Clinical integration, which was examined as an element of professional nursing practice, was also influenced by the way nursing care was organized on the unit level. Findings from the study confirmed that, as an organizational type, units within magnet hospitals performed better than conventionally organized units. Hospital administrators, researchers, and clinicians can use these findings to support decisions related to the organization and delivery of professional nursing in hospitals.
