Time Management, Organizational Models, and Work-Related Stress Among Italian Nurses: A Decade of Evidence (2014–2024)

Abstract

Work-related stress remains a significant concern among Italian nurses, affecting both their well-being and the quality of care they provide. Over the past decade, healthcare organizations have increasingly adopted time management strategies and organizational models to mitigate stress and enhance efficiency.
This study aims to examine the relationship between time management effectiveness, priority-setting using the Eisenhower Matrix, and perceived stress levels among Italian nurses from 2014 to 2024.
A retrospective mixed-methods study was conducted using national data from the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), the Italian Nursing Federation (FNOPI), and secondary surveys (N = 4,562). Quantitative data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression to assess the relationship between Time Management Competence (TMC) scores and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) outcomes. Qualitative data from focus groups and a literature meta-analysis were also integrated.
The analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between TMC and PSS-10 scores (r = –0.62, p < 0.001), indicating that higher time management competence was associated with lower stress levels. Regression analysis confirmed that structured prioritization models explained 38% of the variance in stress scores (R² = 0.38). Nurses employed in organizations applying systematic workload planning approaches (e.g., Lean Nursing, Eisenhower Matrix) reported a 25% reduction in burnout risk compared to those without structured prioritization systems (p = 0.004).
Effective time management and structured prioritization frameworks, such as the Eisenhower Matrix, are strongly associated with lower stress and burnout levels among Italian nurses. Integrating these tools into healthcare organizational culture may enhance professional satisfaction and improve patient outcomes.