Examination of the psychological changes in nurses due to workload in an intensive care unit: a mixed method study

Abstract

Background: The workload is the impinged stress due to several inter-related factors, including the competence of the intensive care unit nurse.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the workload-related psychological changes in intensive care nurses.

Methods: The study had a two-phase explanatory mixed method design. Data were collected through in-depth personal interviews and with other instruments. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0 and MAXQDA plus10.

Results: The workload of intensive care nurses was 315.8 per minute and the mean TISS 28 score was as high as 65.00. The in-depth interviews with intensive care nurses revealed that participants experienced professional stress due to high workload and went through psychological changes.

Conclusion: The study findings demonstrate that psychological symptoms seen in intensive care nurses relate to a high workload.

Impact Statement: The results of this study can be used by hospital administrators to create a healthy work environment with a moderated workload and optimized shift schedules so that the mental well-being of nurses can be promoted.

Keywords:

• workload
• nursing
• mental health
• critical care