Negative coping and working in the NICU as key predictors of work fatigue risk among pediatric nurses: a cross-sectional study guided by the job demands-resources theory

Objective Guided by the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory, this study aimed to reveal the current status of work fatigue risk among pediatric nurses and to identify the key influencing factors, in order to provide evidence for targeted interventions. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. From February to March 2025, convenience sampling was used to select 325 pediatric nurses from a tertiary hospital in China as study participants. A questionnaire survey was conducted using the general information questionnaire, the Work Fatigue Risk Assessment Questionnaire for Nurses, Simplified Coping Style Scale, and Social Support Rating Scale. Univariate and multiple linear stepwise regression analyses were used to explore the influencing factors. Results A total of 323 pediatric nurses were included in the final analysis, yielding a response rate of 99.4%. Their overall work fatigue risk score was 54.77 ± 12.78 (range: 22–110). Pediatric nurses scored highest on the personal state dimension (18.05 ± 4.52), followed by the organizational culture dimension (15.32 ± 4.66). For 323 pediatric nurses, work fatigue risk was negatively correlated with positive coping and social support, and positively correlated with negative coping (all p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that sleep disorders ( β = 0.281, t = 5.953, p < 0.001), working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) ( β = 0.320, t = 7.330, p < 0.001), negative coping ( β = 0.333, t = 7.127, p < 0.001), positive coping ( β = −0.241, t = −5.248, p < 0.001), and health status ( β = 0.122, t = 2.621, p = 0.009) were independent risk factors of work fatigue among pediatric nurses, collectively explaining 39.3% of the total variance (adjusted R 2 = 0.393, F = 42.647, p < 0.001). Conclusion Pediatric nurses exhibited a moderate level of work fatigue risk. Guided by the JD-R theory, sleep disorders, working in the NICU, coping styles, and health status were key predictors of work fatigue risk. The findings provided a theoretical reference for nursing administrators to develop targeted, personalized interventions that reduce the work fatigue risk.