Evaluation of occupational fatigue among Chinese nursing managers: a cross-sectional online study

To evaluate the levels of occupational fatigue and work stress experienced by nursing managers in western China and to identify the factors influencing occupational fatigue.

This study recruited 248 nursing managers from 186 hospitals across 28 Chinese provinces, of which 91.1% are located in western China and 78.2% are tertiary hospitals. The nursing managers included in this study were actively engaged in their managerial roles throughout the data collection period, discharging associated administrative and clinical responsibilities.

Western Chinese nursing managers reported mid-low to mid-high levels of occupational chronic fatigue, mid-high to high levels of acute fatigue, and mid-low to mid-high levels of inter-shift recovery. Effort and overcommitment were significantly associated with all levels of fatigue. Chronic fatigue was associated with hospital grade, while acute fatigue was associated with hospital grade, position title, and working hours per week. Inter-shift recovery was linked to weekly working hours.

Effort and overcommitment were significantly associated with occupational fatigue levels among western Chinese nursing managers. Additionally, fatigue severity correlated with hospital grade, weekly working hours, and position title. Policy guidance, organization support, and work competency training may be beneficial.