A STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF STRESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES AMONG PEDIATRIC NURSES IN SELECTED HOSPITALS AT NAGERCOIL

ABSTRACT Stress is a part and parcel of human lifestyle. Stress is a bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium. Nursing is generally perceived as demanding profession. AIM: The study was carried out with the objectives to assess the knowledge of stress management techniques among pediatric nurses and to associate with their socio demographic variables. METHODS: Non experimental research design was adopted.30 nurses working in selected tertiary care hospital were selected by using convenient sampling technique. TOOL: Data was collected by using self-structured knowledge questionnaire consists of 15 questions regarding Stress management techniques as 2-items of healthy stress comprises 5-questions, and Personal stress comprises 10-questions. RESULTS: Level of knowledge among Age related was more than 30 years were 24(80%), and less than 30 years were 6(20%); there is difference in Gender and Marital Status. Regard to Working experience there was no changes in knowledge, but information of Stress management techniques during Last 2 years were very less 20(66.6%), Attended stress management course during the working period also found very less 7(23. 3%).Thus found there is a poor knowledge regarding Stress management techniques among pediatric nurses. Also there is significant association with level of knowledge on stress management techniques related to age, marital status, gender, information and course attended among pediatric nurses at the level of p<0.001. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that majority of the nurses have low knowledge in stress management techniques. It is also found that stress due to work organization and inter personal relationship at work is harder which adds up to the stress. It is evident in the present study that older age group and women were commonly low level of knowledge in stress management techniques. It is recommended to implement strategies for reducing stress, knowled