Workload of nursing staff and its impact on life satisfaction and psychological well-being

<ns3:p>Background: Nursing is a profession that is constantly exposed to the risk of burdens, not only physical, but also mental, chemical and biological. Aim of the study: To examine the levels of mental well-being and life satisfaction of nursing staff in the context of the work they perform and to analyze the factors determining these phenomena.Material and methods: 169 nurses who actively work in the period from 01.10.2024 to 28.02.2025, were examined. A self-designed survey and two types of standardized survey questionnaires were used: Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).Results: The mean value for SWLS was 21.9 points (SD=5.18 points) and for mental well-being (WEMWBS) was 52.19 points (SD=8.76). The majority of respondents indicated an average sense of satisfaction with life (73; 43.20%). The sense of mental well-being was influenced by education (p=0.007), primary place of work (p=0.018), physical (p<0.001) and mental (p<0.001) loads. The sense of life satisfaction was influenced by age (p=0.045), education (p=0.007), work experience (p=0.018), and mental burden (p<0.001). A positive correlation was noted between the perceived psychological well-being and SWLS (r= 0.424, p<0.001).Conclusions: The key to increasing satisfaction with life are psychological support, anti-stress training, adequate remuneration and the possibility of influencing the work schedule. Support is particularly needed by people under 30 with a bachelor's degree and short work experience. Numerous psychological burdens reduce the level of life satisfaction; therefore, it is important to create a friendly work environment and ensure adequate rest. Mental well-being can be improved through professional development, psychological support, especially for medical staff in emergency departments and intensive care, increased co-decision about working days and employment of additional staff. Improving well-being and life satisfaction are closely linked, which in consequence means that higher well-being promotes higher life satisfaction.</ns3:p>