AIM

To explore and validate an end of shift survey with a low response burden, practical application and generated evidence of related associations between workload, quality of work and patient care, missed care and job satisfaction.

DESIGN

A retrospective cross-sectional survey of the experiences of nursing staff.

METHODS

Data were collected from 265 nurses who responded to a questionnaire at the end of their shift in 2022. Exploratory factor analysis was undertaken using IBM SPSS v.27 and confirmatory factor analysis was undertaken using IBM AMOS v27. Hypotheses testing was undertaken using IBM SPSS v.27 using multiple regression analyses.

RESULTS

All of the hypotheses were supported. There was a negative association between workload and quality of work and job satisfaction. Quality of work was negatively associated with workload and missed care and positively associated with job satisfaction. The association between missed care and job satisfaction was negative.

CONCLUSION

The EOSS is a valid and reliable tool with a low response burden. The tool supports previous research which demonstrated there is a negative relationship between level of workload and shift type with satisfaction, quality of work and potentially nurse retention.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: In the context of a global nursing shortage nursing leaders must ensure that care we provide is of the highest quality. We must take every action to address high workload to reduce the risk that fundamental care is not sacrificed, job satisfaction is improved and nurses remain in the profession. The EOSS gives nurse leaders a reliable, practical, consistent, applied tool that will better enable associations to be observed between resource configuration, workload and critical impacts on nursing and patient care.

REPORTING METHOD

We have adhered to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines using the STROBE reporting method.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No Patient or Public Contribution.