Question

1. What causes stress in the workplace?

2. What are the stressors that clinical nurses are experiencing in the workplace today?

3. What coping strategies can nurses use to minimize work stress?

Answer 1

1)Some of the factors that commonly lead to work-related stress include:
Long working hours.
Heavy workload
Changes within the organisation
Tight deadlines
Changes to duties
Job insecurity
Lack of autonomy
Boring work
Insufficient skills for the job
Over-supervision
Inadequate working environment
Lack of proper resources
Lack of equipment
Few promotional opportunities
Harassment
Discrimination
Poor relationships with colleagues or bosses

2)Following are the stressors that the nurses confronted during their work.

Psychological or physical abuse, being confronted with large number of death during their work, lack of staff, a high frequency of patients, and exposure to infection are highly stressful factors in the workplace.

One of the greatest causes for nurses stress is their lack of a ability in handling the emotional needs of patients which leads to anxiety within the nursing staff .Other important elements that leads to stresss are a professional liability, unfavourable working conditions, workload, working in shifts working at night, poor interrelationships, a lack of information, accidental cuts and stabs etc.

3)Following are the coping strategies can nurses use to minimize work stress.

1)It is important to remember that it’s not personal

Knowing the patients and family members and establishing a deep connection with the patient and the thought about their illness is the worst stress of their lives. When confronted with any of serious situation may affect the nurses psychologicaly .In that case taking a couple of minutes away can help you clear your head, calm your nerves and recharge.

2)Practice deep breathing exercises

3) Retreat to a peaceful place

Taking breaks is extremely important for stressed out and overworked nurses during their tight work schedule.

4)Avoiding pressure while carrying out an action, declining the un necessary request of others, giving no attention to negative feelings , diverting away bad thoughts, and avoiding and escaping from stressful situations are some behaviors that nurses use to avoid and escape coping strategy.