Search

Aim: This study aimed to identify determinants of physical, mental and emotional nursing workloads., Background: Workload has a physical, mental and emotional dimension. It influences employees' well-being and quality of care. Nevertheless, studies of specific predictors for each dimension of nurses' workload are scarce., Methods: We used a cross-sectional prospective design based on the Job Demand-Resources theory. We asked nurses to describe workload perceived at the end of every shift over three consecutive weeks. Data were gathered from two academic hospitals, in seven medical-surgical wards. We received 259 responses and tested 2 multivariate regression models., Results: Physical workload was predicted from all variables tested; mental workload was determined by patient complexity or isolation, adequacy of nurse staffing and skill-mix, and unscheduled activities; and emotional workload was predicted by all variables except adequacy of staffing and other people's education., Conclusions: Patient, nurse and workflow aspects influenced nurse's shift workload differently for each specific dimension., Implications for Nursing Management: Measurement and definition of predictors of workload in the work environment are essential. Recognizing the determinants of specific dimensions of workload facilitates identification of the most appropriate interventions to improve nurses' well-being in health care settings., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: To explore predictors of perceived nursing workload in relation to patients, nurses and workflow., Background: Nursing workload is important to health care organisations. It determines nurses' well-being and quality of care. Nevertheless, its predictors are barely studied., Methods: A cross-sectional prospective design based on the complex adaptive systems theory was used. An online survey asked nurses to describe perceived workload at the end of every shift. Data were gathered from five medical-surgical wards over three consecutive weeks. We received 205 completed surveys and tested multivariate regression models., Results: Patient acuity, staffing resources, patient transfers, documentation, patient isolation, unscheduled activities and patient specialties were significant in predicting perceived workload. Nurse-to-patient ratio proved not to be a predictor of workload., Conclusions: This study significantly contributed to literature by identifying some workload predictors. Complexity of patient care, staffing adequacy and some workflow aspects were prominent in determining the shift workload among nurses., Implications for Nursing Management: Our findings provide valuable information for top and middle hospital management, as well as for policymakers. Identification of predictors and measurement of workload are essential for optimizing staff resources, workflow processes and work environment. Future research should focus on the appraisal of more determinants., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Nursing Management published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)