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.