Nursing Workload and Staff Allocation in Labor Unit within the Changing Context
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Abstract
This mixed-methods study aimed to: 1) analyze workload; 2) explore factors associated with perception of workload; and 3) study perspective towards workload and working conditions of registered nurses and practical nurses working in the labor room. The sample consisted of 24 registered nurses and 10 practical nurses based on the inclusion criteria. Quantitative data were collected by Recording Form, Demographic Data Questionnaire, and the Questionnaire of the Experience and Evaluation of Work (QEEW). Qualitative data was collected from 13 informants using interview guideline regarding the workload, working conditions and the impact on their wellbeing. Quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficient, and Chi-square test. Qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. Results show that the main workload was related to caesarean section (77.70%), which required nurse to patient ratio of 2.5:1. The most perception of workload by staffs was an urgent work. Then, they perceived as physical strenuous work and amount of work consecutively. Age of the respondents was found as the factor associated with workload perception (r =.43, p <.05). The respondents’ perspectives toward workload and well-being were generated into three themes: 1) burnout due to overwork; 2) under staffs-too much work-have to juggling; and 3) needed to manage even though over workload. Results showed that the respondents perceived overwork due to under staffs allocation. There is the need to allocate proper staffs to work ratio of the labor room.
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