A Cross Sectional Study on Workplace Stress among Nursing Staff at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Haryana

Abstract

Stress among healthcare staff especially the nursing profession is becoming a common occurrence in most public health services. The present survey was therefore conducted to find out the level and different sources of workplace stress among nursing staff. The cross sectional study was carried out among 70 female staff nurses working in different departments during 2012.  Stratified random sampling technique was adopted to include nurses working in various departments of hospital. Out of total, majority (66%) were serving as full time whereas 34% were working on contract basis. The mean working hours in a week were 54.12±6.35 hrs. On the scale of mental well being, the mean score for State of mind, Resilience and Confidence level were 16.33±4.17, 15.12±3.12 and 8.86±3.55. These scores were more than their corresponding standard scores; 20.67, 17.66 and 10.37 respectively. Similarly the mean score for Physical Symptoms and Energy Level were 9.68±2.12 and 10.45±3.65. The standard score on these subscales are 14.95 for both the categories. Mean score of the sample were almost very less as compared to standard values. On the scale for sources of pressure, the mean score on workload was 21.15±5.25 and on personal responsibility the mean score was 16.31±3.67. The mean scores of participants on all these items were more than the standard scores. The findings indicate that the nursing staff at this workplace has a high index of stress. Majority of it generates from the administrative disorganization rather than from the personal or the monitory factors.