The Relationship Between Perceived Nursing Workload and Occupational Fatigue in Clinical Nurses: The Moderating Role of Nursing Teamwork

ABSTRACT Aim This study investigated the association between perceived nursing workload and occupational fatigue in clinical nurses. We specifically focused on how nursing teamwork moderates this relationship. Background Hospital nurses often face heavy workloads, leading to significant fatigue. Understanding the link between workload, fatigue and teamwork is crucial to addressing nurse burnout. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 356 clinical nurses from five educational‐therapeutic hospitals in Ardabil, Iran. Data were collected using validated instruments, including the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery‐15 (OFER) scale, the Quantitative Workload Inventory (QWI) and the Nursing Teamwork Survey (NTS). Hierarchical linear regression analysis assessed the relationships between perceived workload, occupational fatigue and nursing teamwork. Results The study's findings show that increased nursing workloads were significantly linked to higher levels of both acute ( B = 5.70 to 6.76, p < 0.001) and chronic fatigue ( B = 6.71 to 7.16, p < 0.001). Additionally, effective nursing teamwork, comprising trust, team orientation, support, shared mental models and team leadership was associated with reduced fatigue levels. Conclusion Our study shows high workloads are linked to increased fatigue among nursing professionals. Teamwork can help lessen the adverse effects of workload on fatigue. Healthcare organisations should focus on optimising workload distribution and strengthening teamwork. Further research is needed to understand these dynamics and develop targeted interventions to support nursing staff in high‐demand environments. Implications for Nursing and Health Policy The study emphasises the need for healthcare organisations to prioritise workload management and enhance teamwork among nursing staff. Implementing structured workload assessments and fostering a collaborative work environment, along with policies promoting work–life balance, can improve patient care quality, benefit nursing professionals and contribute to a more resilient healthcare system.