Time pressure and patient-safety nursing activities among haemodialysis nurses. Examining the role of job stress: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Haemodialysis nurses work in time-pressured environments that may increase job stress which may in turn be associated with patient-safety nursing activities, suggesting a mediating role of job stress. However, evidence for this role remains limited.

AIMS: To examine the relationship between time pressure and patient-safety nursing activities and test the mediating role of job stress among haemodialysis nurses.

METHODS: Data were collected from 147 haemodialysis nurses through an online survey using validated questionnaires measuring time pressure, job stress and patient-safety nursing activities. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis, and mediation analysis using the Baron and Kenny method and the Sobel test in SPSS 28.0.

RESULTS: Time pressure and job stress differed by unit experience and hospital type. Patient-safety nursing activities varied by education, patient load, clinical experience and hospital type. Time pressure was positively associated with job stress, and job stress was negatively associated with patient-safety nursing activities. Although time pressure had no direct effect on patient-safety nursing activities, it showed a significant indirect effect through job stress, indicating full mediation.

CONCLUSION: Job stress plays a key role in linking time pressure to patient-safety nursing activities. Reducing job stress may support patient safety in haemodialysis units.