The correlation of workload and work ability with job stress in nursing staff

The assessment of personal and occupational factors and the association with job stress in the work environment is one of the main strategies for improving occupational health of nursing staff. This study aims to determine the correlation of workload and work ability with job stress in nursing staff. This descriptive- correlational study was carried out on190 nursing staff in an educational hospital in Qom city, using stratified sampling among three levels of nursing staff including registered nurses, operating room technicians and auxiliary nurses. The data related to variables; workload, workability and job stress were collected by three instruments “National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index” (NASA Task Load), “Work Ability Index”, and “Osipow Job Stress”, respectively. Then the completed questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS/19. There was a significant difference between job stress and workload and workability with employment status (P>0.05). Most of nursing staff reported a high workload (54.2%), good workability (52.6%), and normal job stress (84%). There was not significant relationship between workload and job stress but a negative significant statistics relationship between workability and job stress was observed (P<0.01) (r=-0.507). The results showed that in spite of the high workload, the participant reported normal job stress level which might has been decreased by their good work ability. Therefore, to improve nursing job situation, assessment and enhancement of work ability and personal characteristics of nursing staff is recommended.