Assessment of Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Workload in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Satisfaction

There are limited evidence-based standards for determining workload assignments of the neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The purpose of this project was to describe the assignment pattern of the NNP, based on workload. The aim was to identify the level of satisfaction reported by the NNP relative to performance, patient outcome, and safety. During the project period, the NNPs responded to an electronic survey at the end of each worked shift. The following objective measures were utilized to describe workload: (a) number of NNPs assigned to the shift, (b) caseload, (c) patient acuity, (d) experience and competence of the NNP, (e) perception of safety, and (f) level of satisfaction of the NNP in relation to assignment factors. The implication of this project for NNP practice was to design a process to monitor a baseline of activity from which change can be implemented.