Beyond the bedside: unravelling the impact of non-nursing tasks on clinical nurses and healthcare delivery.

BACKGROUND: Nurses are essential to high-quality healthcare delivery, yet their ability to provide patient-centered care is increasingly compromised by the burden of non-nursing tasks (NNTs)-duties that fall outside the professional scope of nursing, such as administrative work, patient transport, and housekeeping. This study explores how NNTs affect the roles and experiences of Jordanian nurses. AIM: To investigate Jordanian nurses' perceptions and interpretations of NNTs, and how these tasks influence their professional practice and the broader healthcare delivery system. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory design was employed, using focus group interviews with 38 experienced nurses from three major hospitals in Jordan. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns in how nurses perceive and experience NNTs in their clinical roles. RESULTS: Two main themes emerged: (1) the paradoxical nature of NNTs, which simultaneously challenge core nursing identity while fostering adaptability, and (2) the broad spectrum of non-nursing tasks performed by nurses, including administrative duties, support services, and tasks typically assigned to other healthcare professionals. These roles significantly influenced job satisfaction and perceived care quality. CONCLUSIONS: NNTs have a complex and often detrimental impact on nursing practice in Jordan. Addressing them through clear job role definitions, adequate staffing, and support role reinforcement is essential. These findings underscore the need for policy reforms that realign nursing responsibilities with professional standards to enhance both nurse well-being and patient care quality. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.