Consequences of work overload on the performance of nursing professionals

Abstract

Introduction: Nursing is the most predominant class in the health environment, bringing with it the responsibility of applying care based on practical and scientific knowledge. It has become the profession that exceeds the workload due to the lack of salary and professional recognition, which, despite being indispensable for the health service, still suffers from the need to seek more than one bond to maintain itself with dignity. Objective: This study aims to analyze the consequences that work overload can bring to the performance of the nursing professional. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review study that has a quantitative and descriptive character. Results and discussions: Work overload directly impacts the mental health of nursing professionals, causing harm to self-care that ends up being neglected, leading the professional to physical exhaustion and causing a drop in work performance. Conclusion: Excessive work hours can be eliminated with better working conditions, as well as an adequate salary for the class, thus ensuring that the professional does not need to look for more than one work shift.