Workplace stressors, coping, demographics and job satisfaction in Chinese intensive care nurses

Background: Prior research has suggested that certain workplace stressors, coping strategies and demographic characteristics are related to job satisfaction in nurses. Most of the research in this area has been conducted within western culture countries, with little research being carried out in Asian culture countries, especially China. It remains unclear if the findings of the research conducted in western culture countries are applicable to Chinese nurses, especially intensive care nurses. Aims and objectives: Therefore, the aims of this study were to examine, in Chinese intensive care nurses, the most often occurring workplace stressor; the most frequently used coping strategy; and the relationships among workplace stressors, coping strategies, demographic characteristics and job satisfaction. Design: The study design was a survey using four self‐report questionnaires. Methods: One hundred and two intensive care nurses, from four hospitals located in two major cities in central China, were administered four self‐report questionnaires. Results: Findings suggested that the most frequently cited workplace stressor was workload, while the most commonly used coping strategy was planning. Two hundred and twelve significant positive and negative correlations were found among the various workplace stressors, coping strategies, demographic characteristics and the different factors comprising job satisfaction. Conclusions: These findings identify factors that need to be considered when addressing workplace stress, coping strategies and demographic characteristics as they relate to job satisfaction in Chinese intensive care nurses. Relevance to clinical practice: It is important for both hospital and nursing administrators to address factors contributing to job satisfaction, so that retention of qualified ICU nurses, within the workforce, will be facilitated.     

ICU护士与普通病房护士应付方式与焦虑状况调查

目的探讨重症监护室（ICU）护士与普通病房护士的应付方式与焦虑状况及相关性。方法选取ICU护士84例及同医院病房护士77例为研究对象。采用一般调查表、应付方式问卷（CSQ）与焦虑自评量表（SAS）对两组进行调查研究,比较两组应付因子评分及其影响因素、焦虑发生率及程度,并分析应付方式与焦虑的相关性。结果在应用“求助”这一成熟型的应付方式中ICU护士得分（0．694±0．175）分高于病房护士（0．631±0．212）分;在应用“自责”这一不成熟型应付方式中ICU护士得分（0．262±0．237）分低于病房护士（0．349±0．262）分,差异有统计学意义（t分别为2．043,-2．220;P〈0．05）。两组焦虑发生率比较无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,但ICU护士焦虑得分（39．37±8．905）分低于病房护士（42．53±8．573）分,差异具有统计学意义（t=-2．292,P〈0．05）。ICU护士的应对方式与年龄、职称无相关关系（r分别为-0．060,-0．054;P〉0．05）,但病房护士的应对方式与年龄和职称呈负相关（r分别为-0．237,-0．251;P〈0．05）。“解决问题”与“求助”成熟型应付方式与焦虑呈负相关（r分别为一0．267,-0．177;P〈0．05或P〈0．01）;“退避”、“自责”、“幻想”不成熟型应对方式及“合理化”混合型应付方式与焦虑呈正相关（r分别为0．329,0．304,0．330,0．287;P〈0．01）。结论提高护士的应付方式有助于减轻其心理压力和焦虑水平。     

冠状动脉介入治疗护理健康教育指导标准的设计与探讨

目的研究重症监护室（ICU）护士气质类型与应对能力的相关性，以采取措施解决ICU护士的心理健康问题。方法选取ICU护士47名为观察组，随机抽取其他科室护士54名为对照组。采用气质调查表和TCSQ问卷比较2组护士的气质类型与应对能力，数据采用SPSS13．0软件包进行统计分析。结果观察组积极应对得分明显高于对照组（P〈0．05），而消极应对得分则明显低于对照组（P〈0．05），2组比较差异有统计学意义。观察组多血质型积极应对得分高于对照组（P〈0．05）。结论ICU应尽可能安排多血质类型的护士，以提高ICU科护理质量。     

Long-term effects of a tailored mindfulness-based program for Chinese intensive care unit nurses: A randomized parallel-group trial

AimThis study investigated the direct and long-term improvements that mindfulness-based interventions exert on intensive care unit nurses. We assessed an abbreviated four-week, twice-weekly mindfulness-based intervention program’s effect on work-related mental health variables and examined whether the intervention impact was maintained at two- and six-month follow-up assessments. We also examined the training program’s effects on work and life.BackgroundPrevious research has shown that mindfulness interventions exert positive effects immediately after treatment. However, few studies have examined whether treatment effects are maintained over time or under different circumstances. Moreover, treatment effects among Chinese intensive care unit nurses have rarely been examined.DesignWe conducted a randomized, non-blinded, parallel-group trial.MethodsParticipants included 90 intensive care unit nurses, divided into two cohorts, who participated in the program in October 2016 and April 2017. They completed validated measures of mindfulness, burnout syndromes, anxiety and depressive symptoms and well-being at baseline (T₁), immediately after intervention (T₂), two months after (T₃) and six months after (T₄) the intervention.ResultsWe observed a significant group effect (1) immediately post-intervention and two months after intervention for mindfulness; (2) at two months after intervention for anxiety, depression and subjective well-being and (3) at post-intervention, two months after and six months after for emotional exhaustion.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the tailored four-week mindfulness-based intervention program improved intensive care unit nurses’ mental health, although further research is needed to verify its feasibility in a clinical working environment.     

Relationship between stress coping and burnout in Japanese hospital nurses

Aim  The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between stress coping and burnout in Japanese hospital nurses.
Background  Findings on effective stress management training are required in order to reduce nurse's stress and prevent it from becoming chronic.
Methods  The study included 1291 nurses who completed the General Coping Questionnaire and the Japanese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling.
Results  In women, a frequent use of cognitive reinterpretation predicted low exhaustion and cynicism and high professional efficacy. In men, a frequent use of problem solving predicted low cynicism and high professional efficacy. Although for women, a frequent use of problem solving predicted high professional efficacy that was similar to men, there was also a concurrent high exhaustion.
Conclusion  These findings suggested that enhancement of cognitive coping skills for women and problem-solving skills for men could contribute to a reduction of burnout in nurses.
Implications for nursing management  Our findings suggested that effective intervention strategies in order to prevent hospital nurse's stress from becoming chronic might be different between men and women. This difference should be taken into account in nursing management.     

Oral care practices of intensive care nurses: A descriptive study

The aim of this study was to investigate intensive care unit (ICU) nurses’ views and practices on oral care and to define the factors related to oral care measures. A study was carried out in eight ICUs of a teaching hospital in 2008. One hundred one nurses constituted the study sample. The data were collected using ‘Oral Care Practices Survey’ which included demographic characteristics (5 items) and current oral care practices (13 items). Oral care was given the highest priority by nearly 60% of the nurses. The most commonly used solution was sodium bicarbonate (79.2%), and the most frequently used equipment was foam swab (82.2%). Oral care was carried out less than every 4 h per day by 44.5% of the nurses. The oral care products and solutions were reported to be different in almost every unit. The relationship between the use of toothpaste and the place of employment was statistically significant (x² = 24.566, d.f. = 6, P = 0.000). There was a statistical significance between the clinics and frequency of oral care (x² = 81.486, d.f. = 42, P = 0.000). This study suggests that there is a wide variety of type and frequency of oral care measures among ICU nurses. Optimal oral care supported by evidence is an effective prevention method for eliminating oral complications.     

重症监护室护士气质类型与应对能力的相关性分析

目的研究重症监护室(ICU)护士气质类型与应对能力的相关性,以采取措施解决ICU护士的心理健康问题。方法选取ICU护士47名为观察组,随机抽取其他科室护士54名为对照组。采用气质调查表和TCSQ问卷比较2组护士的气质类型与应对能力,数据采用SPSS13.0软件包进行统计分析。结果观察组积极应对得分明显高于对照组(P<0.05),而消极应对得分则明显低于对照组(P<0.05),2组比较差异有统计学意义。观察组多血质型积极应对得分高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论ICU应尽可能安排多血质类型的护士,以提高ICU科护理质量。     

Person-centred care among intensive care unit nurses: A cross-sectional study

ObjectivePractising person-centred care is crucial for nurses in the intensive care unit, as patients have high physical and psychological care needs. We aimed to identify the predictors of person-centred care among nurses working in intensive care settings.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 188 intensive care unit nurses at four tertiary hospitals in two cities of South Korea were included. They completed self-reported questionnaires on emotional intelligence, compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and person-centred care. Emotional intelligence was measured using the Korean version of the Wong and Law’s emotional intelligence scale. Compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout were measured by the Professional Quality of Life questionnaire (version 5). Person-centred care was measured using the person-centred critical care nursing scale.ResultsMultiple regression identified compassion satisfaction (β = 0.49, p <.001) as the most powerful predictor of person-centred care, followed by emotional intelligence (β = 0.21, p =.004) and intensive care unit career length (β = 0.17, p =.021). These three variables accounted for 31.0 % of the variance in person-centred care.ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of career length, emotional intelligence, and compassion satisfaction in the promotion of person-centred care among intensive care unit nurses. Nursing management should contemplate specific measures to reduce turnover among experienced intensive care unit nurses and to enhance the factors that promote person-centred care, such as compassion satisfaction and emotional intelligence.     

Us and them: Experiences of agency nurses in intensive care units

ObjectiveThis qualitative case study describes the work experiences of agency nurses from their perspective. It explores their interactions with intensive care unit managers to whom they report in their designated intensive care units and their relationships with fellow permanent nurses.MethodsA qualitative study was undertaken in three intensive care units at a public hospital in South Africa. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data from eleven agency nurses. Thematic analysis of the data was undertaken.FindingsThe challenges of agency nursing work were haphazard clinical allocation, a lack of self-efficacy and competence, and feelings of exclusion. Positive aspects of the agency nurse experience included feedback and support from permanent nurses and intensive care unit managers and occurrences of belonging and acceptance.ConclusionThe findings of this study point to the importance of agency nurse relationships with managers and fellow permanent nurses. To ensure patient care is not compromised, managers and nurse managers have a responsibility to ensure a welcoming, inclusive and nurturing environment for all staff tasked with intensive care unit responsibilities.     

体验式教学法在ICU新护士培养中的应用

目的 探讨体验式教学法在重症医学科新护士培养中的作用,为临床新护士培养提供依据.方法 将2011年至2012年进入重症医学科工作的新护士79名分成实验组41名和对照组38名.实验组护士采用体验式教学法进行岗前培训2个月.对照组护士采用常规方法进行岗前培训2个月.对2组培训效果进行比较.结果 实验组理论知识考核及技能操作考核评分,均高于对照组.在舒适护理方面,实验组在生理舒适及心理舒适两方面的评分均显著高于对照组.实验组对体验式教学的认同度较高.结论 体验式教学法有利于新护士掌握理论知识及技能操作,同时也能够更好地为患者实施舒适护理,有利于提高ICU新护士的专业技能和素质,同时可以提高对重症患者的护理质量.