Physiological and behavioural response patterns at work among hospital nurses

chen j., davis l.s., davis k.g., pan w.&daraiseh n.m. (2011) Journal of Nursing Management 19, 57–68
Physiological and behavioural response patterns at work among hospital nurses Aim  The aim was to determine whether hospital nurses are experiencing physiological strain at work by examining thei...

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Published in:Journal of nursing management 2011-01, Vol.19 (1), p.57-68
Main Authors: CHEN, JIE, SUE DAVIS, L., DAVIS, KERMIT G., PAN, WEI, DARAISEH, NANCY M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
aging
Analysis of Variance
Attitude of Health Personnel
Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
energy expenditure
Energy Metabolism
Female
Heart Rate
Hospitals
Hospitals, Community
Humans
Medical personnel
Middle Aged
Midwestern United States
Nursing
Nursing Staff, Hospital - organization & administration
Nursing Staff, Hospital - psychology
nursing workload
Occupational Health
Personnel Staffing and Scheduling
Personnel Turnover - statistics & numerical data
Physiology
responsibility
shift work
Stress
Stress, Physiological - physiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time and Motion Studies
work pace
Work Schedule Tolerance - physiology
Work Schedule Tolerance - psychology
working conditions
Workload - psychology
Workload - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:chen j., davis l.s., davis k.g., pan w.&daraiseh n.m. (2011) Journal of Nursing Management 19, 57–68
Physiological and behavioural response patterns at work among hospital nurses Aim  The aim was to determine whether hospital nurses are experiencing physiological strain at work by examining their physiological and behavioural response patterns over 12‐hour shifts. Background  Excessive workload for nurses may lead to poor quality of care and high nursing turnover rates. Energy expenditure (EE), heart rate (HR) and work pace (WP) can be used to examine the physiological impact from the workload. Methods  A total of 145 nurses wore monitors for one 12‐hour day shift to record HR and WP, which were used to calculate EE. Individual and work‐related factors were assessed through questionnaires and work logs. Results  Energy expenditure accumulated over the 12 hours reached the EE level of 8‐hour shifts in which individuals work at a moderate physical intensity level. The HR data indicated a moderate cardiac stress level throughout the shifts, despite which WP decreased after 15.00 hours. Inadequate work break and sleep, family care‐giving responsibility and aging may challenge work recovery. Conclusions  Nursing workload of 12‐hour shifts has a negative physiological impact on hospital nurses. Implications for nursing management  Nurse managers need to be aware of the physiological strain experienced by staff nurses, and focus on ensuring sufficient breaks and proper work accommodations for older nurses.
ISSN:0966-0429
1365-2834
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2834.2010.01210.x