Development and Face/Content Validation of the Care Load Scale Based on Hospitalized Patients' Care Needs

Background/Objectives: The burden of nursing care is defined as the relation between the care needs of hospitalized individuals and the time available for nursing staff to perform direct, indirect, and educational care activities. This study aimed to design an instrument to measure the burden of nursing care and to assess its face and content validity. Methods: This methodological study was conducted in three phases: (1) operationalization of the concept, (2) instrument design, and (3) face and content validity assessment. Expert panels using the nominal group technique were employed in phases one and two. In phase three, item evaluations regarding clarity, coherence, and relevance were conducted by experts. Results: Face validity was assessed by six expert researchers, while content validity was evaluated by 55 nurses with graduate-level education. The results demonstrated content validity index (CVI) values ranging from 0.89 to 0.95; Aiken's V values between 0.84 and 0.94; and Kendall's W concordance coefficients between 0.54 and 0.73, all statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The Care Load Scale, designed to measure the burden of nursing care based on hospitalized patients' needs, demonstrated strong face and content validity. The instrument shows potential for use in clinical settings to guide nursing care planning, allocate resources effectively, and inform institutional policies. The inclusion of expert judgment and rigorous validation procedures ensures the instrument's relevance and applicability. This scale represents a significant contribution to nursing research and practice by offering a standardized tool aligned with patient-centered care principles.