Objectives: The aim of the research was to explore personal factors influencing the quality of care. Several studies highlight the problem that overloaded nurses are not able to provide high quality patient care; and due to lack of time, some nursing activities are not being implemented. My aim was to detect, how the qualifications of nurses and nurse-patient ratio affect the quality of work in Hungary?

Methods: Cross sectional analysis was performed. Data was collected using self-designed online, anonymous, questionnaire, using non-random, convenience sampling method, between 10 February 2019 and 18 March 2019. We examined social demographic data, satisfaction with work environment, assessment of professional knowledge and the extent of burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scale. Data were analysed using Microsoft Office Excel and SPSS 20 software using descriptive statistical methods and chi²-test (p<0.05).

Results: The sample consisted of 135 participants. Their average age was 42.2±11.7 years. The individual opinion of nurses as "I am using my last strength reserves" and their age and work experience in years showed a significant difference (p <0.001). Those who never felt like this were significantly younger (31.8±11 years) than those who felts this every day (51.6 ± 6.5 years). Among the most frequently missed activities were the followings: 77.8% missed out education and support of relatives, 54.8% patient education, 40% psychic guidance, and 19.3% to appropriate cannula care. Most of the non-completed nursing tasks were not performed by 68.1% due to lack of time, 51.9% due to lack of staff.

Conclusions: We found that nurse-patient ratios, extent of burnout and qualifications have an effect on patient care, however further research by involving larger number of nurses, precise determination of the indicators would be beneficial to get more relevant results.