Health Development
Vol 1, No 2 (2026): September

The Relationship between Workload and Occupational Fatigue among Nurses in the Operating Room Installation

Kurnia Rohmasa (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Widyagama Husada, Malang)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Operating-room nurses face continuous physical, mental, time-related, and responsibility demands that may predispose them to occupational fatigue, yet the extent to which workload relates to fatigue in this high-risk perioperative setting remains insufficiently documented at the local level. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between workload and occupational fatigue among nurses in the Operating Room Installation of Dr. Etik Asharto Hospital, Batu City. Methods: A quantitative correlational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 15 operating-room nurses selected through total sampling. Workload was measured using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and occupational fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Univariate analysis used descriptive statistics, and bivariate analysis used Spearman's rank correlation test. Results: Most nurses had a high workload (46.7%), followed by very high workload (40.0%) and moderately high workload (13.3%); no nurse reported low or moderate workload. The highest mean NASA-TLX dimension was frustration (73.53 ± 15.21). Most nurses experienced extreme fatigue (73.3%), while 26.7% experienced fatigue; none reported being free of fatigue. Spearman's rank correlation showed a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between workload and occupational fatigue (rₛ = 0.704; p = 0.003; n = 15). Conclusion: Workload is strongly and significantly associated with occupational fatigue among operating-room nurses. Hospitals are encouraged to periodically evaluate workload distribution, shift patterns, staffing adequacy, and rest periods to reduce the risk of nurse fatigue.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

hede

Publisher

Subject

Description

"Health Development" is an International media for the publication of articles on research, case report, literature review, book review, perspective, scientific news and letter to editor in the areas of health science and practice such as nursing, midwifery, public health, medicine, dentistry, ...