The mediating role of digital fatigue in the effect of job satisfaction on motivation among Turkish nurses

Digitalization in healthcare has reshaped nursing practice but also introduced psychosocial challenges. While well-designed digital systems can enhance workflow efficiency and satisfaction, excessive digital demands may lead to technostress and digital fatigue, reducing nurses’ motivation. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of digital fatigue in the relationship between job satisfaction and motivation among nurses. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between July and October 2025 with 350 nurses working at a hospital in İzmir, Türkiye. Data were collected using the Participant Information Form, Job Satisfaction Scale, Nurse Work Motivation Scale, and Technostress Creators Scale for Health Professionals. Analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0 with descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and mediation analysis. Most participants were female (86.3%) and under 30 years old (68.6%). Over half (52%) reported experiencing technology-related fatigue or burnout. Job satisfaction was positively associated with both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation (p < .001) and negatively associated with technostress (p < .05). While job satisfaction significantly predicted both technostress (β = 0.083, p = .033) and motivation (β = −0.156, p = .000), technostress did not significantly predict motivation (β = 0.004, p = .882), indicating that digital fatigue did not fully mediate this relationship. Older and more experienced nurses reported higher job satisfaction and lower technostress levels. Job satisfaction remains a primary driver of motivation among nurses. However, in digitally intensive clinical environments, digital fatigue poses a significant risk to sustaining motivation. Healthcare institutions should address both organizational and technological factors by improving digital system usability, offering training, and implementing strategies to mitigate digital fatigue to enhance nurses’ motivation and retention. Not applicable.