Nurse's perception on stressic at the Hadara orthopedic and traumatology University Hospital

ABSTRACT

In this study 94 nurses were interviewed to identify stress factors in relation to years of employment in an orthopaedic hospital. The study reveals that nurses regardless of their position perceived working in orthopaedic hospital as stressful. Moreover a significant difference was found between the three studied groups in relation to specific items. Stress is generally addressed in terms of the individuals but it can be identified as a [group responses] on a nursing unit. Many situations nurses face are stressful. These may arise from the discrepancy existing between their ideal and their ability to give nurturing supportive care to patients, ability to perform technical skill proficiently and ability to feel personally and professionally satisfied with the nursing care given. Given these strong demands generalized stress responses to these tasks can be expected [Scully 1980]. Identification of stress factors can help in ameliorating the working conditions and improving performance. Researches on the stress factors affecting ICU/CCU nurses have contributed to improve work conditions [Grout Bailey and Steffen 1981]. Although nurses working orthopaedic patients face different stressors due to patient's long term hospitalization and dealing with patient's fatigue, pain and maintaining uncomfortable positions in traction for long periods, yet it seems that nothing has been done to examine the stress factors of nurses working in these hospitals. This research study builds upon the earlier theoretical work of Selye, 1974. Also, it has applied the research on stress in ICU/CCU to the orthopaedic setting with the anticipation that the finding may be useful in improving the work environment of orthopaedic nurses and ultimately the care of orthopaedic patients. The aim of the study is to 1 Identify stress factors as perceived by nurses in an Orthopaedic Hospital. 2 Identify stressors in relation to years of employment