Evaluating an AI-Assisted Mental Stress Screening Tool for Occupational Health and Nursing Staff

Abstract

Occupational stress and emotional exhaustion can impair the well-being and operational efficiency of nursing personnel working in demanding clinical environments. This pilot study evaluated NurseCare: Shift Stress Companion, a mobile-accessible occupational health platform designed to support rapid stress screening and immediate self-regulation during shift-based work. The platform comprises a 30-second Quick Shift Check-In, a 1-Minute Box Breathing Reset, a Shift Decompression Reflection Journal, and context-aware Micro-Self-Care Tips. Thirty nursing and clinical healthcare staff used the platform during active workflows over a two-week period, completing pre-shift and post-shift check-ins, optional breathing exercises during acute stress, and end-of-shift reflections. Evaluation focused on usability, task completion time, perceived utility, workflow integration, and platform trust. The mean check-in completion time was 28.4 ± 6.2 seconds, and the 1-Minute Reset achieved a 93.3% completion rate. The mean System Usability Scale score was 84.2 ± 7.1. Participants also reported a mean perceived stress-relief rating of 4.2 ± 0.6 out of 5 and a workflow non-disruption rating of 4.6 ± 0.5 out of 5. These preliminary findings suggest that a brief, shift-compatible digital platform can be integrated into clinical routines with limited interaction burden. Larger controlled and longitudinal studies are required to assess sustained engagement and clinical or organisational outcomes.