ACEN position statement: Nursing workload--a priority for healthcare.

Nurses (ACEN), the organization of chief nurse executives of teaching hospitals across Canada, has agreed on this position statement on nursing workload. In a previous issue of the Canadian Journal of Nursing Leadership, Affonso et al. (2003) identified workload as a significant issue for nurses in delivering processes of care in a way that supports patient safety. We cannot underestimate the importance of appropriate work design and nursing workload to ensure patient safety and the retention of an adequate number of nurses. We hope that you will find this position statement a useful tool in planning for the future.