Workplace Stress in Nursing

Workplace stress is a common problem affecting many nurses in the country. McVicar (2003) investigated the nurses’ perception of workplace stresses. The investigation found that many nurses are affected by different stresses at the workplace. As McVicar (2003) states, nurses have different perceptions of stresses and their impact on employee performance. Organizations ought to understand these perceptions and initiate stress management programmes at the individual level. The different perceptions may be a result of the different sources of their stresses. There are several sources of workplace stresses that may affect a nurse’ performances. They range from workplace relationships to personal duties that may overwhelm a nurse. Also, relationships and duties cause conflicts that may lead to workplace stresses (McVicar, 2003). The workplace stresses vary from an individual to another. For example, senior nurses may be stressed by managerial responsibilities while the junior nurses are affected by shift working (McVicar, 2003). Workplace stresses vary in magnitude as well as the impact on the performance of the individual experiencing them. In severe cases, they become unbearable and lead to serious mental and social complications such as distress and depression. It is important for the organizations to have pro-active mechanisms of identifying and management of workplace stresses (McVicar, 2003). 

Preventive interventions can help minimize the occurrence of stress which in turn helps improve service delivery. Organizations have a role in enhancing employee openness about workplaces stresses and should have comprehensive and effective management (McVicar, 2003). The aim of adopting a pro-active approach is to ensure that nurses work optimally without the interference of stress. Stress management is one way in which an organization enhances job satisfaction and reduces staff turnover. Lack of job satisfaction and increased staff turnover affect the quality of service and efficiency. In nursing, consistent staff changes may result in situations that put the lives of the patients at risk. 

Key words: Stress management, employee satisfaction, quality of service 

Reference 

McVicar, A. (2003). Workplace stress in nursing: a literature review. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 44( 6), 633-642.