[Study of the work climate in four critical care units in a hospital]

A study was made of the work climate, which was understood to be the overall group of factors that influence nursing professionals in critical-care units. A descriptive study was made by carrying out an anonymous survey among the staff of four adult critical-care units: intensive care unit, coronary unit, reanimation unit, and cardiac postoperative care unit. The survey included seven factors: occupational satisfaction, occupational stress, occupational pressures, work relations, professional skills, professional training, and sociodemographic variables. Of 132 questionnaires completed, 80% of the persons who answered accepted their tasks, but only 51% indicated that they planned to continue in the critical-care unit. Sixty percent of the persons surveyed indicated that their work was stressful and that they felt physically fatigued as the workday progressed. Similarly, 60% reported that their work sometimes had a negative impact on family life and 35% indicated that it affected their health. Relations among members of the health-care team were reported as good by 90%. Seventy-five percent were capable of working independently and resolving situations at their own initiative. Ninety-five percent of the persons who completed the survey considered the possibilities for professional advancement to be scant and 88% were interested in the development of specialization. It was interesting that one third of the persons in the sample wanted to leave the hospital. Unit ergonomics had a negative effect on work activities. Staff felt a lack of information in spite of good relations with superiors and other team members. They felt the need for more social and professional recognition, as well as better economic remuneration, but they expected specialization to palliate these needs to some degree.