Perceived Job Stress Among Nurses in the Context of Workload and Individual Variables

Abstract

Nursing is a profession characterized by substantial exposure to occupational stress and plays a critical role in the sustainability of healthcare systems. Increasing patient numbers, task diversity, time pressure, and organizational demands are important sources of work-related stress among nurses. This study examined the association between workload demand and perceived job stress and evaluated the additional contribution of individual characteristics. This cross-sectional study included 452 nurses working in a public hospital in Turkey. Sociodemographic data were collected, and the Brief Nursing Stress Scale (BNSS) and Workload Demand Scale were used to assess perceived stress and workload. Measurement model properties, internal consistency, correlation analyses, and structural equation modeling were evaluated. Nurses reported moderate levels of workload and perceived stress. Age and education level were negatively associated with both workload and stress, while work experience was negatively associated with stress. Single nurses reported higher stress than married nurses. In the structural model, workload demand remained the strongest predictor of perceived job stress after age, education level, and marital status were considered, while these individual characteristics made comparatively smaller contributions. A sensitivity analysis replacing age with work experience produced a similar pattern of findings. Overall, perceived job stress was more closely associated with workload demand than with the individual characteristics examined. These findings highlight workload organization as an important consideration in strategies aimed at addressing occupational stress among nurses, while longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal relationships.