NURSING STRESS IN THE COMMUNITY SETTING: A CROSS-SECTIONAL QUANTITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Due to an ageing population and an increase in the incidences of chronic disease, Singapore is rapidly expanding its community healthcare sector and thus also increasing the number of individuals performing nursing work in the community setting. As studies worldwide have revealed the high levels of stress experienced by individuals performing nursing work, the present study was undertaken, to understand if nursing stress is a prevalent issue in the local community nursing setting as well. Aims: The research study was undertaken to explore the relationships amongst nursing stressors, sociodemographic characteristics and the stress levels of the individuals performing nursing work in the community setting in Singapore. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational study design using a self-administered survey was adopted for this study. Convenience sampling was performed and 211 individuals at a nursing home-cum-community hospital in Singapore participated in the research. Results: Situations involving ‘patients and their families’ and ‘workload’ were found to cause the highest levels of stress. Age and years of nursing experience were only found to be related to stress in the area of ‘conflict with physicians’, with the older and more experienced individuals performing nursing work experiencing lower levels of stress. Designation and marital status were also found to affect nursing stress levels, with those who are single, and who are nurses, experiencing high levels of stress. Implications: This study has revealed the stressors and the sociodemographic characteristics associated with nursing stress in the local community setting, providing a baseline reference for healthcare administrators and policymakers to introduce the necessary interventions. Conclusion: The findings of the study support the need for the phenomenon of nursing stress in the local community setting to be addressed, in the interest of both these individuals and the patients under their care.