Effect of Work Related Stress on the Wellbeing of Nurses: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Work-related stress is reportedly a very common issue among nurses in health care. This study was aimed at assessing the level of work-related stress among nurses in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Objectives were to: assess the level of work-related stress, compare the level of work-related stress among nurses across units/wards and assess for availability of stress reduction support systems. Cross sectional descriptive survey design was adopted with a sample size of 288 nurses. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data and data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages with the aid of SPSS version 23 and difference between variables was tested using T test. Majority (86.3%) of the nurses experienced severe stress, all respondents (100%) lacked support systems, and there was significant difference in the stress level between the units/wards. It was suggested, therefore, that a special reward/recognition should be introduced to nurses who were dedicated to their work, and more nurses employed to share the work burden, with occupational health services provided in the study center.