Perception of nurses’ workload in a Medical-Surgical Emergency Service*

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/ce.v31i0.101169pt

Keywords:

Nurses, Male, Perception, Emergency Service, Hospital, Workload, Working Conditions

Abstract

Objective: To assess the perception of individual workload among nurses in the Medical-Surgical Emergency Service of a Local Health Unit in Northern Portugal and to explore the relationship between the perception of workload and sociodemographic and professional variables.

Method: This is a descriptive-correlational and quantitative cross-sectional study. The Individual Workload Perception Scale-Revised was used to assess workload perception. The analysis used the Mann-Whitney t-test or U test, analysis of variance, or Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results: The mean overall score on the scale was 73.73 (SD=9.21), indicating a moderately positive perception. The “Nurse manager support” dimension had the lowest mean score per item (3.01). Statistically significant differences were found based on professional experience (p=0.001) and current job experience (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The perceived workload has room for improvement through more positive and sustainable environments.

Author Biographies

Arlindo José Cardoso Afonso, Tâmega e Sousa Hospital Center, Penafiel, Portugal.

Nurse. Bachelor's degree in Nursing. Nurse at the Tâmega e Sousa Hospital Center, Penafiel, Portugal.

Carlos Pires Magalhães, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal.

Professor. PhD in Social Gerontology, Lecturer at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal.

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Published

2026-04-16

How to Cite

Afonso, A. J. C., & Magalhães, C. P. (2026). Perception of nurses’ workload in a Medical-Surgical Emergency Service*. Cogitare Enfermagem, 31. https://doi.org/10.1590/ce.v31i0.101169pt

Issue

Vol. 31 (2026)

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Arlindo José Cardoso Afonso, Carlos Pires Magalhães

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