INFLUENCE OF STRESS AND WORK AMONG NURSES IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background study: It is essential for any work environment, particularly within a hospital setting, to be accommodating, amicable, and free from stress in order to enhance the quality of treatment and well-being of healthcare personnel, whose job demands are progressively escalating. This is due to technological advancements and the increased demand from patients for high-quality healthcare in light of rising healthcare costs. Stress is commonly regarded as a typical aspect of life that can be beneficial at times, serving as a motivator to enhance one's ability to operate. However, when experienced for an extended period, stress becomes harmful to health and results in decreased productivity (Salleh, 2008).

Stress is a state where an individual perceives a challenging or overwhelming situation that exceeds their capacity and poses a threat to their overall well-being (Irving et al., 2009). Stress, in terms of itself, does not inherently cause harm to an individual. However, the way individuals evaluate an event, their perceptions and interpretations, as well as their ability to cope, ultimately determine whether events are perceived as hazardous or beneficial. Personality factors also play a role in determining how individuals respond to stress, since what may be considered challenging for one person could be seen as invigorating for another (Robinson, et al., 2011).

Since the mid-1950s, stress has been recognised as a risk associated with work, and occupational stress has been identified as a major health issue (Jennings, 2009). In the 1960s, nurses were found to experience anxiety due to factors such as patient care, decision making, taking responsibility, and dealing with change, which made them more susceptible to work-related stress (Menzies, 1960). The nurse's profession has traditionally been associated with high levels of stress due to the demanding physical tasks, exposure to human suffering, long working hours, staffing issues, and complex interpersonal connections that are inherent to their employment (Lukpata, et al., 2013).

The demanding nature of nursing might ultimately result in work discontent and burnout (Arafa, 2003). This statement aligns with research findings that suggest the delivery of healthcare services requires significant physical and psychological effort (Ilhan, 2005). Nursing is considered one of the most stressful professions globally due to the fact that nurses mostly interact with individuals during times of pain, suffering, and death (Lukpata et al., 2013).

Nurses provide unwavering care to patients who are critically or chronically ill and are in a precarious state between life and death. This demanding environment, which allows no room for mistakes, can place significant psychological and physical burdens on healthcare providers, potentially leading to stress or burnout syndrome (Rowe, 2003).

Nurses have been identified as the health care personnel most susceptible to burnout, according to a study by Abushaikha and Saca-Hazboun (2009). This is mostly due to the fact that nurses are required to provide compassionate, empathic, culturally aware, skilled, and ethical care in settings with limited resources, a decreased number of nurses, and growing duties. The disparity between delivering exceptional healthcare in a setting with restricted resources results in stress (Khamisa, 2015).

1.2 Statement of the problem

The significance of job satisfaction and burnout among health care personnel lies in their impact on turnover rates, staff retention, and ultimately the quality of patient treatment (Atencio, 2003). Burnout is characterised as a state of both physical and emotional tiredness, resulting from prolonged stress that can give rise to negative self-perception, bad job attitudes, and a diminished sense of care for customers. Burnout is also linked to elevated rates of employee turnover, excessive absenteeism, unfavourable job attitudes, diminished morale, and a decline in altruistic behaviour (Abushaikha & Saca-Hazboun, 2009).

An individual's perception and cognitive processing of stress play a crucial role in determining the intensity of stress experienced and the proximity to burnout. Perceptions of workplace stress and burnout are not solely determined by work conditions, as not all workers who are exposed to the same situations experience burnout or feel stress (Robinson et al., 2011).  An individual may encounter a limited number of stressors, yet struggle to effectively cope with the stress, resulting in burnout. On the other hand, a someone may encounter numerous pressures, yet effectively manage and prevent burnout. The degree of proximity to burnout in an individual is heavily influenced by their unique characteristics (Truby, 2009).

Psychological theories propose that stress is influenced by the equilibrium between the perceived demands from the environment and an individual's capacity to fulfil those expectations (Ursin & Eriksen, 2004).  According to the International Council of Nurses (ICN) (2008), nurses, doctors, and laboratory technicians face the most significant work-related stress, with 45 percent stating that their occupations are very or highly stressful. Similarly, the International Labour Organisation has recognised nursing as an industry with a comparatively high level of importance. These issues necessitate an examination of the impact of stress on work behaviour among nurses at the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta (FMCA).

1.3 Objectives of the study     

The primary aim of this study is to examine the impact of stress and work on Nurses in Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta. The precise aims are:

1. To determine the factors contributing to work-related stress among nurses at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta.

2. The objective is to establish the correlation between stress levels and work dissatisfaction among Nurses at the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta.

3. To investigate the impact of stress on patient safety among nurses at the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta.

4. To examine the effects of extended working hours on the job performance of nurses at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta.

5. To determine the impact of work-related stress on the development of negative job attitudes among nurses at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta.

1.4 Research questions

The relevant research questions related to this study are:

1. What are the factors contributing to work-related stress among nurses at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta?

2. What is the correlation between stress levels and work dissatisfaction among Nurses at the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta?

3. What is the impact of stress on patient safety among nurses at the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta?

4. What are the effects of extended working hours on the job performance of nurses at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta?

5. What is the impact of work-related stress on the development of negative job attitudes among nurses at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta?

1.5 Significance of the study

It is highly important for medical directors to read this study since it sheds light on some of the reasons that are responsible for the poor performance of nurses working in hospitals. Among nurses, the relationship between stress and the behaviour they exhibit on the job has been well investigated. The effects of long working hours on the productivity of nurses have been thoroughly researched, and it is one of the factors that contributes to the stress that nurses experience on the job.

This study also investigates the methods in which nurses working in hospitals can improve their stress levels at work. In the event that these measures are put into effect, it will have an effect on the improvement of individuals' safety. Those nurses who are under a lot of stress have a tendency to be aggressive towards their patients, which can hinder the patients' ability to recover. The findings of this research can also serve as a reference material for other researchers who are likely to conduct a study on a subject that is relevant to this one.

1.6 Scope of the study

The purpose of this study was limited to investigating the impact that stress has on the occupational behaviour of nurses working at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta specifically.

1.7 Limitation of the study

One of the most significant challenges that the researchers had in the process of putting up this research was a shortage of time, another was a lack of willingness on the part of respondents to provide information, and there were also limited resources.