One of the biggest issues that nurses deal with on the job has always been an excessive workload. It is determined by how much work a person completes in a specific length of time. “Excessive workload is a major source of stress; in 37% of projects, high workload of a stressful job has an influence on job dissatisfaction, depression, psychosomatic symptoms,” claim Madadzadeh, Barati, and Asour (1). Every job involves stress, which is typically normal, but if it is not managed promptly, it can negatively impact one’s physical and mental well-being (2). In their podcast, Federico and Won explore the connection between workload and stress. They discuss human variables and how they contribute to stress at work in the medical field (3). Underestimating one’s own talents is one example of a human variable given by Federico Won. Federico brought up the pharmacist who, oblivious to her weariness, promised to work longer hours. Additional examples of human variables include the workplace, noise levels, temperature, and distractions. Additionally, when an organism releases chemicals that lead to anxiety and depression, people have a natural reaction known as the fight-or-flight response. These qualities are very pertinent to my workplace because it can be difficult for me and my coworkers to honestly assess our abilities.
We want to work additional hours because we want to contribute or because we are asked to. It becomes even more challenging when the hospital has an excessive number of patients. Managing a problem when there is not enough staff can be quite challenging. Stress has a substantial negative influence on nurses’ physical and mental well-being.
Excessive workload has always been one of the main challenges that nurses face while working. It is defined by the amount of work performed by an individual in a given period (1). According to Madadzadeh, Barati, as our source, “A high workload at a stressful job has an influence on job dissatisfaction, depression, and psychosomatic symptoms in 37% of subjects.” (1). Every job involves stress, which is often normal. Therefore, it is critical to understand how to handle stress because failure to do so promptly can result in physical and mental health problems (2). Among the methods for managing stress are self-organization and mindfulness exercises.
Federico and Won examine the relationship between stress and workload in their podcast. They talk about human factors and how they affect stress at work in the medical industry (3). Federico and Won give an example of human factors, among which are the underestimation of one’s abilities. Federico mentioned the pharmacist who offered to put in more hours without realizing how exhausted she was. External stimuli including temperature, noise, diversions, and the workplace are further instances of human variables. Additionally, when the body releases hormones that lead to anxiety and depression, people have a natural reaction known as the fight-or-flight response.
Because it is challenging for me and my coworkers to honestly evaluate our skills, these characteristics are extremely relevant to my place of employment. Either because we are asked to or because we want to contribute, we want to put in more hours. When there are too many patients at the hospital, it gets even more difficult. It becomes quite challenging to manage the issue when there is not enough staff. The physical and mental health of nurses is significantly impacted negatively by stress.
An overwhelming workload has long been one of the main problems nurses face on the job. It is based on how much labor a person does in a given amount of time. “Excessive workload is a major source of stress; in 37% of subjects, high workload of a stressful job has an influence on job dissatisfaction, depression, psychosomatic symptoms,” assert Madadzadeh, Barati, and Asour. (1). Stress has also been a part of every work and is usually natural, but if it is not eliminated on time, it can lead to impairment of physical and mental health (2). Federico, Won, in their podcast, examines the relationship between stress and workload. They refer to human factors and their role in work-related stress in health care (3). Federico, Won gives an example of human factors, among which are an underestimation of one’s ability. Federico talked about the pharmacist who volunteered to work extra time, not realizing how tired she was. Other examples of human factors are external stimuli such as noise, temperature, distractions, and working environment. People also have a natural reaction, a fight-or-flight response, when an organism releases hormones that contribute to depression and anxiety. These factors are of high relevance to my workplace because sometimes it is difficult for my colleagues and me to make a sober assessment of our abilities.
We want to work extra shifts either because we are asked to, or because we want to be helpful. It becomes even more complicated when the hospital is overloaded with patients. Sometimes there are not enough personnel, and managing the situation becomes extremely challenging. Nurses have to cope with stress, and it significantly impacts on physical and mental health.
References
Madadzadeh M, Barati H, Asour AA. The association between workload and job stress among nurses in Vasei hospital, Sabzevar city, Iran, in 2016. JOHE [Internet]. 2018.
Kokoroko E, Sanda MA. Effect of workload on job stress of ghanaian opd nurses: The role ofcoworker support. SH@W [Internet]. 2019.
Federico F, Won JC. Wihi: workload, stress, and patient safety: how human factors can help [Internet]. WIHI. 2020.