Understanding nurse manager stress and work complexity: factors that make a difference

Area of Science:

• Nursing Management
• Occupational Stress
• Healthcare Administration

Background:

• The nursing shortage is linked to overwork and stress.
• Nurse managers are crucial for staff retention but their work is understudied.
• Understanding nurse manager roles is vital for healthcare system stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the sources of stress for nurse managers.
• To identify the coping mechanisms employed by nurse managers.
• To examine the health-related outcomes associated with nurse manager stress and coping.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study design.
• In-depth interviews with 21 nurse managers.
• Content analysis to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• Key stressors include interpersonal dynamics, resource limitations, task volume, and performance pressures.
• Experienced nurse managers, particularly co-managers, demonstrate more effective, problem-focused coping strategies.
• Experienced managers reported fewer adverse health outcomes compared to novices.

Conclusions:

• Addressing nurse manager stress requires a multifaceted approach.
• Interventions should target both individual coping skills and organizational factors.
• Improving the nurse manager role is essential for mitigating stress and enhancing well-being.