Occupational stress facing nurse academics—A mixed‐methods systematic review

Abstract

Aim To better understand occupational stress faced by nurse academics. Methods A mixed‐methods systematic review, following the Joanna Briggs Institute [JBI], (Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual: 2014 edition, 2014) process. Studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias by using standardised critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute. In addition, processes and reporting were checked against the Equator guidelines. See Appendix S1. Results The review revealed that nursing academics do experience occupational stress, including burnout. Occupational stress for academic nurses is associated with various factors including work–life balance, workload issues, resources and support, and adapting to change. However, much of the literature focuses on nurses during the initial transition from clinical to academic environment, with rather less focus on established mid‐to‐late career nurse academics. Discussion Occupational stress and burnout are evident in the university academic workforce, adversely affecting the well‐being of academic nurses, and the long‐term sustainability of the academic nursing workforce. While there is considerable literature focusing on the novice academic nurse, particularly during the transition period, rather less is known about occupational stress among academic nurses across the career trajectory. Various strategies to deal with the negative consequences of occupational stress are identified, including (a) quality mentors for novice and younger nursing academics; (b) training in resilience building for novice academics; (c) supporting collegial relationships and reducing bullying; (d) assistance for professional development and research; (e) better support and resources to overcome increasing workloads; and (f) greater work‐related empowerment to enhance job satisfaction. Conclusion There is a need for a broader whole‐of‐career research focus to more fully identify, explore and mitigate the occupational stressors that negatively affect the academic nurse workforce. Relevance to clinical practice A strong and resilient academic nurse workforce is essential for the sustainability of the profession. Organisations should review their work practices and provide greater work‐related empowerment to reduce occupational stressors among nursing academics.

Occupational Stress in Intensive Care Units Nurses: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Sarafis et al [18] supported these findings, but Godwin et al [19] found a significant association between occupational stress and work experience. One of the important effective factors in reducing the occupational stress in nurses is to improve their levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice with regard to the principles of clinical care, which is called 'professionalism' in the nursing profession [1]. Considering the findings of this study, it seems that the participants were not professional in their nursing occupation and still had stress like novice nurses.…”

“…Some studies reported that occupational stress was moderately high in ICU nurses [9,11,14], which is in line with the findings of the present study. A mixed-method study in America indicated that occupational stress was prevalent in nurses and its long-term sustainability could have a negative impact on nurses' health [1]. Moderate-high occupational stress among ICU nurses can be justified by their critical working conditions.…”

“…Stress and anxiety are among the most common disorders in the present century, which have not been controlled by technological advances [1]. Stress is a psychological process with negative impacts on people's physical and psychological well-being.…”

<p>Recovery Experience: A Concept for Maintaining Quality of Life and Its Mediating Effect Among Female Nurses in China</p>

“…45 Many studies showed that ongoing exposure to occupational stress can result in job burnout, which can affect physical, psychological and social health. 46,47 A large number of studies observed that the effects of burnout syndrome might affect nurses' mental health, and there were also some evidence verifying that burnout had bad impact on people's physical health. 48,49 Job burnout may lead to helplessness, despair, sleep problems, and exhaustion and ultimately affect physical and mental health, which are highly associated with QOL.…”

“I can’t stop thinking about it”: Schwartz Rounds® an intervention to support students and higher education staff with emotional, social and ethical experiences at work

“…Indeed at the University of Surrey, although Rounds were initially run for academic colleagues, so that they would understand what they were and could promote them to students, the stories of stress and burnout shared by academic staff made us realise academic health sciences staff needed Rounds too. Recent research supports this highlighting the challenges faced by staff in HE institutions in health care (with nurse academics’ well‐being impacted with burnout and stress threatening the sustainability of the academic workforce (Singh, Cross, Munro, & Jackson, 2019)). If nurse academics were already overstretched (increased student numbers, additional administrative tasks and extreme working hours), the need to revise and rewrite their education programmes as COVID‐19 moves swiftly through our communities has increased working hours and stress levels substantially.…”