Weak Correlation Between Perceived and Measured Intensive Care Unit Nursing Workload

Efficient management of nursing workload in the intensive care unit (ICU) is essential for patient safety, care quality, and nurse well-being. Current ICU-specific workload assessment scores lack comprehensive coverage of nursing activities and perceived workload. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between ICU nurses’ perceived workload and the Nine Equivalents of Nursing Manpower Use Score (NEMS). In a 45-bed adult ICU at a tertiary academic hospital, nurses’ perceived shift workload (measured with an 11-point Likert scale) was correlated with the NEMS, calculated manually and electronically. The study included 1734 observations. The perceived workload was recorded for 77.6% of observations. A weak positive correlation was found between perceived and objectively measured workload. Findings indicate a need to consider the multifaceted nature of nursing activities and individual workload perceptions in the ICU.