Work intensification and occupational fatigue on nurses: a cross-sectional and correlational study
1Department of Nursing Management, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Türkiye. serkan.gungor@iuc.edu.tr.
BMC Health Services Research
|January 28, 2025
Summary
Increased work intensification in nursing is linked to higher occupational fatigue and lower recovery. This study emphasizes the need to re-evaluate working conditions to mitigate nurse fatigue and improve well-being.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Research
- Occupational Health
- Workplace Psychology
Background:
- Work intensification is a growing concern in healthcare.
- Occupational fatigue significantly impacts nurse well-being and performance.
- Understanding the relationship between job demands and fatigue is crucial for healthcare management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between work intensification and occupational fatigue in nurses.
- To assess the levels of acute and chronic fatigue and intershift recovery among nurses.
- To identify factors contributing to occupational fatigue in the nursing profession.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional, correlational design involving 597 nurses from various hospital types in Istanbul.
- Data collection via validated instruments: Nurse Information Form, Intensification of Job Demands Scale, and Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion/Recovery Scale.
- Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation, and hierarchical linear regression.
Main Results:
- Nurses reported higher-than-average chronic and acute fatigue, with below-average intershift recovery.
- Work intensification positively correlated with fatigue and negatively with recovery, with some exceptions.
- Regression models indicated that work intensification, fatigue, and recovery were significant predictors of nurses' occupational health outcomes.
Conclusions:
- A significant positive relationship exists between work intensification and occupational fatigue in nurses.
- Findings underscore the need for interventions to manage job demands and prevent nurse fatigue.
- Recommendations include re-evaluating and regulating intensified work conditions to support nurse well-being and patient care.
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