title: Nursing performance under high workload: a diary study on the moderating role of selection, optimization and compensation strategies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether selective optimization with compensation constitutes an individualized action strategy for nurses wanting to maintain job performance under high workload.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  High workload is a major threat to healthcare quality and performance. Selective optimization with compensation is considered to enhance the efficient use of intra-individual resources and, therefore, is expected to act as a buffer against the negative effects of high workload.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study applied a diary design. Over five consecutive workday shifts, self-report data on workload was collected at three randomized occasions during each shift. Self-reported job performance was assessed in the evening. Self-reported selective optimization with compensation was assessed prior to the diary reporting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected in 2010. Overall, 136 nurses from 10 German hospitals participated. Selective optimization with compensation was assessed with a nine-item scale that was specifically developed for nursing. The NASA-TLX scale indicating the pace of task accomplishment was used to measure workload. Job performance was assessed with one item each concerning performance quality and forgetting of intentions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a weaker negative association between workload and both indicators of job performance in nurses with a high level of selective optimization with compensation, compared with nurses with a low level. Considering the separate strategies, selection and compensation turned out to be effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of selective optimization with compensation is conducive to nurses' job performance under high workload levels. This finding is in line with calls to empower nurses' individual decision-making.
authors.affiliation: Work, Organizational and Business Psychology, Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baethge
authors.affiliation: Institute for Occupational Medicine and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf University, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Work, Organizational and Business Psychology, Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9189-0018
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rigotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: SOC; forgetting of intentions; nurses; nursing; performance quality; workload