The head nurse: perceptions of stress and ways of coping

Head nurses occupy an important position in hospitals, but there have been few studies of the stress experienced by these first line managers. The purpose of this research was to investigate patterns and sources of workplace stress and how head nurses coped with it. Twenty-one head nurses from four teaching hospitals were interviewed. Major sources of stress were lack of resources including nursing staff, work load and powerlessness. Events were seen as stressful because the head nurse lacked control or did not feel competent. Length of time in position affected perceptions of stress. Coping with stress was generally through problem-focused strategies. The findings may reflect the impact of role changes on head nurses.