Intensive stress?? Caring under pressure

This article is based on a survey of the intensive care nursing staff at RNH Haslar and RNH Stonehouse. It examines individuals' response to external stressors and was undertaken as part of a project for the Health Education Certificate Course. The survey took place during December 1989 and January 1990. The prime purpose of this research was to explore whether high levels of stress existed among nurses on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at RNH Haslar. If so, to discover the main causes of work-related stress, and in addition to examine how best to implement a nursing management strategy to enable those affected to cope with stress. However, the pilot study carried out at RNH Stonehouse allowed a change in tack, enabling not only a comparison between external stressors on similar units but providing a much broader insight.