Implementation of Job Rotation for the Development of Nursing Competencies and the Improvement of Organizational Health in a Department of Cardiovascular Sciences: A Research Protocol

Job Rotation (JR) is an organizational practice where employees are periodically transferred between roles, departments, or different tasks within the same organization. This approach has been adopted in various sectors to promote flexibility, foster the development of new skills, and maintain existing competencies. It also helps reduce job monotony and enhances professional engagement. In the healthcare field, particularly in nursing, JR is emerging as a promising strategy to address key challenges such as burnout, staff shortages, and the need to adapt quickly to dynamic and complex care environments.

In specialized areas such as cardiology, which includes intensive care, medical-surgical units, and cardiac rehabilitation, JR can support the development of transversal competencies in emergency management, the use of advanced technologies, and interprofessional collaboration. The alternating roles allow nurses to gain practical skills and a comprehensive understanding of the patient care pathway, ultimately improving care quality and emergency responsiveness.

Implementing a JR protocol in a Department of Cardiovascular Sciences may foster a more flexible and competent nursing workforce and promote a collaborative and resilient work environment. Periodic transfers between specialized areas may help nurses broaden their competencies, better adapt to workload variations, and improve both operational efficiency and job satisfaction. JR could also enhance team cohesion and mutual support, reducing long-term adverse events and improving care quality.

Primary Objective To assess the impact of Job Rotation (JR) in the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences on nursing professional and clinical competencies, organizational health, and burnout levels.

Secondary Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of JR in maintaining or improving professional and clinical nursing competencies.

To measure differences in mean competency scores between JR and non-JR nurses. To analyze the relationship between the number of JR cycles completed and competency levels.

To assess the impact of JR on organizational health and nurse burnout.

Primary Endpoint Difference in professional and clinical competency levels across specialized units (cardiac intensive care, cardiac surgery ICU, medical, surgical, and cardiac rehabilitation units) between JR and non-JR groups, using the Italian Nurse Competence Scale - Short Form (I-NPCS-SF).

Secondary Endpoints Mean job satisfaction score among nurses. Differences in burnout levels (Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey) between JR and non-JR groups.

Differences in perceived organizational health (QISO) between JR and non-JR groups.

Relationship between the number of JR cycles and clinical competency scores.

Hypotheses H1: JR improves professional and clinical nursing competencies. H2: JR nurses achieve higher competency scores than non-JR nurses. H3: Nurses completing more JR cycles show greater competency improvement. H4: JR enhances organizational health. H5: JR reduces nurse burnout.

Methods

Design:

Prospective, single-center, observational study without drugs or medical devices.

Duration: 12 months from ethics approval and administrative clearance until data saturation.

Setting: Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS - Department of Cardiovascular Sciences.

This study will involve the following units:

Cardiovascular Rehabilitation (7M) Coronary Intensive Care Unit (8C) Cardiac Anesthesia and Intensive Care (8N) Cardiology and Electrophysiology (8L) Internal Cardiovascular Medicine and Heart Failure (8M) Cardiac Surgery (8P) Vascular Surgery and Cardiology (9L)

Conceptual Framework Based on the preliminary literature review, JR appears to have a positive impact on the development of clinical nursing competencies, improving job satisfaction and organizational health while reducing perceived burnout. The conceptual model illustrates the relationships among study variables.

Intervention The JR program involves bimonthly rotations. One nurse from each unit will be transferred to another participating unit. At the end of each cycle, the nurse returns to their original unit, and a new nurse begins rotation. This cyclic mechanism continues throughout the study duration.

Training needs will be identified by the Principal Investigator with support from unit coordinators. A tutor may be assigned if needed. Training will follow the hospital's standard operational instruction for onboarding.

Data Collection Procedure Pre-intervention: All tools will be administered to both intervention and control groups.

Post-intervention: Final assessment will be administered to the intervention group to evaluate changes in competencies, satisfaction, burnout, and organizational health.

Sample Size and Statistical Analysis Sample size was calculated using G*Power with a significance level of 0.05, power of 0.9, and effect size of 0.5, resulting in a required sample of 86 participants (43 per group).

Data analysis will include:

Descriptive statistics: frequencies, percentages, means ± SDs or medians with IQRs.

Normality testing using skewness, kurtosis, and Shapiro-Wilk test. Between-group comparisons: Student's t-test (for normal data), Mann-Whitney U test (for non-normal data), chi-square or Fisher's exact test (for categorical data).

Within-group comparisons (JR group pre/post): paired t-test or Wilcoxon test. Repeated measures analysis: ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test, depending on distribution.

Correlation analysis: Pearson or Spearman, based on data distribution. Significance threshold set at p < 0.05. Analyses will be conducted using SPSS and R.

Safety and Adverse Event Management The JR program will be structured to ensure nurse and patient safety during transitions. Pre-rotation training will cover safety protocols, technologies, and emergency procedures. A peer tutor will support each nurse during initial integration. Continuous monitoring of safety and performance will be conducted. Adverse events will be reported through the hospital's incident reporting system, and corrective actions will be taken as needed.

Expected Results JR is expected to enhance nurses' clinical and professional competencies, reduce burnout, and improve organizational health and job satisfaction. By fostering cross-unit collaboration, JR may also contribute to greater cohesion, lower absenteeism, and better workload management. The intervention may support a more adaptable and efficient workforce, ultimately improving care quality and clinical outcomes.

Coercion and Undue Influence Risk Mitigation The study complies with internal policies to safeguard employee rights, including informed decision-making and freedom from coercion or negative professional consequences. Adequate time and support will be given to participants before consent is obtained.