Abstract
Background This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the prevalence of nursing staff shortages in government hospitals in Saudi Arabia, investigate the methods used to assess these shortages, and examine the association between the demographic variables of nursing directors and their ability to calculate staffing shortages. Methods A survey was conducted among current and past nursing directors in government hospitals across Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire that covered demographic information, work-related characteristics, and perceptions of nursing staffing plan estimation methods. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression, were performed to analyze the data. Results A total of 279 nursing directors participated in the study, with the majority being female (156, 55.9%) and Saudi nationals (220, 78.9%). Most participants held a Bachelor of Nursing degree (161 participants, 57.7%) and had over 10 years of professional nursing experience (68.4%). Most respondents recognized a shortage of nursing staff in their hospitals (222, 79.6%), with 192 participants (68.8%) reporting fewer than 278 nurses in their facilities. Various methods were used to estimate nursing staffing plans, with the professional judgment approach being the most preferred answer by 128 participants (45.9%). Memos, training courses, and internet browsing were the primary sources of information on calculation methods. While no significant association was found between nursing staff shortages and estimation methods, there was a significant association between nursing education level and the approach used for estimation. Conclusion Standardized, evidence-based approaches to workforce planning are crucial for effectively addressing nursing staff shortages in Saudi Arabian government hospitals. Education and training initiatives for nursing leaders are essential to ensure accurate estimation of staffing needs and improve the overall quality of healthcare services.