Experiences and impacts of working in organisations undergoing regulatory scrutiny: an integrative review

Stacey, G ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0787-4319, Bond, C ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9945-8577 and Hill, R ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2938-8825, 2026. Experiences and impacts of working in organisations undergoing regulatory scrutiny: an integrative review. Journal of Advanced Nursing. ISSN 0309-2402

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Abstract

Aim: To explore the experiences of healthcare staff in organisations undergoing regulatory scrutiny and to identify the professional and organisational impact.

Design: Integrative review.

Data Sources: Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar.

Review Methods: This review followed Whittemore and Knafl’s framework, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Searches identified peer-reviewed studies from 2010–2025 examining healthcare staff under regulatory scrutiny. Studies employing diverse methodologies were included and synthesised using the constant comparison method to identify and refine key themes.

Results: Eight studies were included. Four interrelated themes were identified: 1) workforce wellbeing, autonomy, and professional identity; 2) regulatory culture, organisational adaptation, and quality improvement; 3) communication and relationships; and 4) impact on patient care and contextual variation.

Conclusion: Regulatory scrutiny profoundly shapes healthcare quality and professional culture but can unintentionally undermine workforce adaptability and innovation essential for effective care. These findings highlight the need for nursing-sensitive regulatory approaches that support professional autonomy, reduce burden, and enhance patient-centred care.

Impact: This evidence will inform nursing and midwifery policy and practice globally by providing support to inform nuanced, context-sensitive regulatory approaches that safeguard professional autonomy, reduce administrative burden, and promote safe, person-centred care across diverse healthcare settings. It will assist policymakers, healthcare leaders, and educators worldwide in enhancing workforce sustainability, patient safety, and care quality, facilitating the transfer of learning to varied healthcare environments and systems.

Patient or Public Contribution: Not applicable

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Journal of Advanced Nursing
Creators:	Stacey, G., Bond, C. and Hill, R.
Publisher:	Wiley
Date:	3 February 2026
ISSN:	0309-2402
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1111/jan.70514 DOI 2577037 Other
Rights:	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Stacey, G., Bond, C., & Hill, R. (2026). Experiences and impacts of working in organisations undergoing regulatory scrutiny: an integrative review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.70514 This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Borcherds
Date Added:	23 Apr 2026 08:32
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2026 08:32
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/55594

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