Nurse occupational stress research 2: definition and conceptualization

Abstract

This article commences with the view that appropriate and clear definitions and conceptualizations of nurse stress are central to meaningful nurse stress research and management. Stress definitions are examined using psychology and nursing literature. The conclusions drawn suggest that, sadly, too many reports on nurse stress fail to make clear the theoretical underpinning, working definitions and conceptualizations of the studies reported. Many studies, in defining stress, causation and stress management fail to acknowledge the inextricable links between nurses' (public) work and their private lives. The question of what nurse stress research rating scales test is also considered.

Developing person‐centred practice: nursing outcomes arising from changes to the care environment in residential settings for older people

“…A heavy workload was deemed to be the main cause of stress among nurses on all three occasions, with the scores decreasing over the three time points. Dissatisfaction and stress associated with workload is consistently shown to be a key indicator of satisfaction among nurses (Wheeler, 1997; Sheward et al. , 2005; Abrahamson et al.…”

“…This finding is different to other studies that have evaluated nursing stress and this may be due to the practice setting itself. Other studies of nursing stress have largely focused on acute care environments where stress is often associated with high workload demands associated with a poor support infrastructure (for example Wheeler, 1997; Chang et al. , 2005; Sveinsdóttir et al.…”

“…A heavy workload was deemed to be the main cause of stress among nurses on all three occasions, with the scores decreasing over the three time points. Dissatisfaction and stress associated with workload is consistently shown to be a key indicator of satisfaction among nurses (Wheeler, 1997;Sheward et al, 2005;Abrahamson et al, 2009;Stanley, 2009). Having enough time to spend with patients and to engage in practice without a constant feeling of being 'rushed' is important to effective nurse-patient/family relationships (McGilton & Boscart, 2007;Abrahamson et al, 2009).…”

Mental health nursing students differ from other nursing students: Some observations from a study on stress and coping

“…The literature on occupational stress in nursing is extensive (see, for example, Bailey & Clarke 1989; Jones & Johnston 2000a; Sutherland & Cooper 1990; Wheeler 1997a,b,c,d, 1998a,b). Most of the work has been undertaken in North America and most of it has focused on adult/general nursing at the expense of other nursing specialities.…”

Predicting stress in pre‐registration nursing students

“…Given this observation and that a large proportion of health care is concerned with sickness, disease, suffering and death, it is unsurprising to find that nurses have been targeted by stress researchers. The literature on qualified nurses is, as such, extensive (see Bailey & Clarke, 1989; Jones & Johnston, 2000a; Sutherland & Cooper, 1990; Wheeler, 1997a, 1997b, 1997c, 1997d, 1998a, 1998b; Williams, Michie, & Pattani, 1998). In recent years, British nursing has been experiencing some recruitment difficulties (Bucchan & Seccombe, 2003; Department of Health, 1999) and there has been speculation that stress is associated with drop‐out rates among nursing students (Baldwin, Dodd, & Wrate, 1998; Lindop, 1989; West & Rushton, 1986).…”