Effectiveness of Acuity-Based Staff Deployment on Workload and Job Satisfaction Among Nursing Staff in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Nursing workload and job satisfaction are critical determinants of healthcare quality, patient safety, and organizational efficiency. Increasing patient acuity, staff shortages, and rising healthcare demands have significantly burdened nursing professionals, often leading to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and compromised patient outcomes. Traditional staffing models based on fixed nurse–patient ratios fail to adequately account for variations in patient complexity, resulting in unequal workload distribution among nurses. Need of the Study: In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the limitations of conventional staffing approaches, particularly in high-acuity clinical settings. Inefficient staff allocation not only affects nurse well-being but also contributes to increased medical errors, reduced patient satisfaction, and higher turnover rates. Acuity-based staff deployment offers a systematic and evidence-based approach by aligning nursing resources with patient care needs. However, there is limited empirical evidence, especially in the Indian healthcare context, evaluating its effectiveness on nurse-related outcomes such as workload and job satisfaction. Hence, this study was undertaken to address this gap and provide evidence for improved staffing strategies. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of acuity-based staff deployment on workload and job satisfaction among nursing staff in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A quantitative, quasi-experimental non-randomized control group design was adopted. The study was conducted among 60 staff nurses (30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group) selected through convenience sampling. The experimental group was exposed to acuity-based staff deployment for a period of four weeks, while the control group followed routine staffing practices. Data were collected using a structured workload assessment scale and a standardized job satisfaction questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent t-test), with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The findings revealed a statistically significant reduction in workload among nurses in the experimental group (Mean = 2.8 ± 0.5) compared to the control group (Mean = 3.9 ± 0.7; p < 0.001). Additionally, job satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the experimental group (Mean = 4.1 ± 0.6) than in the control group (Mean = 3.2 ± 0.8; p < 0.001). These results indicate that acuity-based staffing promotes equitable workload distribution and enhances nurse satisfaction. Conclusion: Acuity-based staff deployment is an effective and practical strategy for optimizing nursing workload and improving job satisfaction. Its implementation can contribute to better workforce management, enhanced quality of care, and improved patient outcomes. The study supports the integration of acuity-based staffing models into hospital policies and nursing administration practices.