Human Factors Psychology - Essay Example

An area that is known for continuous workload challenges is related to the field of nursing and medicine. Understanding the complications of this profession as well as ways to alleviate these challenges can provide fewer risk factors in this profession. The more in which one understands of the stress and challenges of these jobs, the easier it will become for implementation of a different organizational environment for those working in the nursing profession. When considering human factors and engineering, there are several components to include.

Currently, developments in technology have created specific interactions between nurses and requirements within hospitals. There is a direct association with the psychological and mental responses as well as the physical capabilities of nurses and how they respond to different environments. More important, the engineering available through technology is creating new types of limitations and possibilities for nurses. The human – system interaction that is currently required presents new challenges for nurses in their ability to operate different pieces of technology while defining how design relates to specific needs.

The combination of human performance and limitations, as well as how this interlinks with systems, then defines the first set of challenges of nurses (Wickens et al, 2004). The problems between human capability and systems use for nurses move into problems with how patients are cared for within a hospital setting. The patient safety often becomes part of the stresses of the situation. Human error, too many expectations among nurses and limitations of technology links can hinder those that are receiving care.

If a nurse is required to move into a specialized unit, such as intensive care, then it leads to consequences that are further defined by the pressures required in the work space. Problems with