The nurse's workload in care situations

Aim. The aim of this study was to describe the nurse's workload in care sit uations and on different work shifts on surgical and medical wards. Changes in heart rate, shoulder-neck muscle tension and perceived exertion were me asured in these care situations. Design. Nurses' physical fitness was tested using a clinical exercise test. Results. Transportation of a patient to the operating theatre was the most strenuous care situation on morning and evening shifts. Primary care, and s ituations related to practical nursing procedures were the second most stre nuous situations regardless of the shift. Workload in primary care situatio ns and in transporting the patient can be classified as medium heavy based on heart rate and relative workload, whereas in other situations it can be classified on average as moderate or light. The nurse's good physical fitne ss was reflected in relative workload in care situations so that in primary care and practical nursing procedures there was a statistically significan t difference between those who scored high on a fitness test and those who scored low. Transferring tasks and practical nursing procedures involved mo re shoulder-neck muscle tension than other care situations.