Aim(s): This study aims to evaluate the workload of clinical nurses by measuring the work relative value (work RVU) of common nursing items based on the resource-based relative value scale in China.
Background: Various single measurements have been employed to measure the nursing workload, but no comprehensive method has yet to be developed in China.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted to construct a common item set for nursing work in general wards on the basis of the 2019 History Information System nursing database from Class A tertiary hospitals to identify the time associated with each service. Data cleaning methods, expert consensus meetings, observational methods, Delphi consensus methods and the analytic hierarchy processes were employed.
Results: A common item set for nursing work was established, which contained 2 first-level indexes, 8 secondary-level indexes and 79 third-level indexes. The average working hours of the common items ranged from 1.38 to 23.76 min. The top three nursing items identified were: extra large dressing change, cleaning enema, and nasal feeding catheterization.
Conclusions: The common nursing items used in general wards were universal. The work RVU of common items comprehensively evaluates clinical nurses' workload, which can better meet the needs of management.
Implications: The work RVU of common items will facilitate effective and comprehensive allocation of nursing human resources and performance assessment.
Reporting method: We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines and named the reporting method.
Keywords: China; nursing management; nursing work items; nursing workload; work RVU; working hours.
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