Application of WISN in Determining Nursing Workforce Requirements: A Literature Review
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Abstract
Aims: Nurses constitute the largest segment of the health workforce, yet persistent global shortages expose the limitations of traditional staffing models. The WHO developed the Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN) as an evidence-based method to estimate nursing workforce requirements based on actual workload. This review synthesizes available evidence on nursing workload and staffing needs using the WISN method in Vietnam and internationally.
Method: A literature review conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Vietnamese databases.
Results: Most studies report nursing shortages (WISN index < 1.0), particularly in developing countries. Vietnamese nurses allocate a significant portion of time to indirect and administrative activities, reducing workforce efficiency.
Conclusion: The WISN method provides a robust and practical approach for estimating nursing staffing needs. Accurate calculation of Annual Working Time (AWT) is crucial for establishing sustainable staffing norms.
