This thesis describes a method of calculating
nursing workload based upon individualised patient care,
a concept which is supported by the International
Council of Nurses. An aid to this practice is the nursing care plan, the use and iñtroduction of which into a
group of Scottish hospitals is described. Nursing care
plans provide a description of the care which nurses
prescribe and can be used as a source from which to
determine the nursing care elements of the workload.A formula was developed and is presented for the
calculation of the nursing workload based on the amount
of time required for Planned Activities and the average
percentage of time spent in Planned Activities. This
formula incorporates time for Unplanned Activities. The
methods of determining the time and percentage of time
in Planned Activities are described. The major method
used was non -participant observation.The formula was originally tested by the researcher on one medical ward where subsequently the nursing
staff participated in the recording and collection of
workload data.The system was extended to two other medical wards
where the nursing staff also participated in the operation of the system for a period of six months.The information produced by this system has a
variety of management uses which are discussed
