Investigation of the relationship between nurses' workload and quality of work life

This study is a cross-sectional investigation aiming to determine the relationship between nurses' perceived workload and their quality of work life. Nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of healthcare services. An increase in nurses' workload can negatively affect their job satisfaction, psychological well-being, and the quality of patient care. In particular, staff shortages, long working hours, and heavy workloads in the healthcare sector are factors that directly influence nurses' quality of work life. In this research, a quantitative method was used to evaluate the relationship between nurses' perceived workload and their quality of work life. The study was conducted on 97 nurses working at Eyüpsultan State Hospital. The Individual Workload Perception Scale and the Nursing Quality of Work Life Scale were employed as data collection instruments. The gathered data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software program, and correlation, regression, and descriptive analyses were performed to examine the relationship between workload and quality of work life. The findings revealed that nurses' perceptions of workload were generally at a moderate level, and similarly, their quality of work life scores were also moderate. The scores obtained from these scales showed a moderate and statistically significant relationship between the two variables (r = .557, p < .001). Especially given that high work intensity can adversely affect job satisfaction, motivation, and the quality of patient care, it was determined that nurses need adequate managerial support, flexible and fair shift planning, appropriate staffing, and professional development opportunities to maintain their physical and psychological well-being. Accordingly, it is recommended to develop strategies that balance nurses' workloads, improve work environments, and implement institutional policies aimed at enhancing quality of work life. Key Words: Nurse, workload, quality of work life, professional satisfaction, health services.