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Nurses and stress : recognizing causes and seeking solutions
journal contribution
posted on 2017-12-06, 00:00 authored by Brenda Happell, Trudy DwyerTrudy Dwyer, Kerry Reid-SearlKerry Reid-Searl, Karena BurkeKarena Burke, Cristina CaperchioneCristina Caperchione, Cadeyrn GaskinCadeyrn GaskinAims: To identify, from the perspectives of nurses, occupational stressors and ways in which they may be reduced. Background: Nurses commonly experience high levels of occupational stress, with negative consequences for their physical and psychological health, health-care organisations and community. There is minimal research on reducing occupational stress. Method: Six focus groups were conducted with 38 registered nurses using a qualitative exploratory approach. Participants were asked to identify sources of occupational stress and possible workplace initiatives to reduce stress. Findings: Sources of occupational stress were: high workloads, unavailability of doctors, unsupportive management, human resource issues, interpersonal issues, patients’ relatives, shift work, car parking, handover procedures, no common area for nurses, not progressing at work and patient mental health. Suggestions for reduction included: workload modification, non-ward-based initiatives, changing shift hours, forwarding suggestions for change, music, special events, organisational development, ensuring nurses get breaks, massage therapists, acknowledgement from management and leadership within wards. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need to understand local perspectives and the importance of involving nurses in identifying initiatives to reduce occupational stress. Implications for nursing management: Health-care environments can be enhanced through local understanding of the occupational stressors and productively engaging nurses in developing stress reduction initiatives. Nurse managers must facilitate such processes.
Funding
Category 2 - Other Public Sector Grants Category
History
Volume
21Issue
4Start Page
638End Page
647Number of Pages
10eISSN
1365-2834ISSN
0966-0429Location
United KingdomPublisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing LtdPublisher DOI
Full Text URL
Language
en-ausPeer Reviewed
- Yes
Open Access
- No
External Author Affiliations
Institute for Health and Social Science Research (IHSSR); Institute for Health and Social Science Research (IHSSR); School of Health and Exercise Sciences; School of Human, Health and Social Sciences (2013- ); School of Nursing and Midwifery (2013- );Era Eligible
- Yes