Registered nurse stress in intensive care units--an Australian perspective

This paper describes a study of stressors and coping mechanisms in different grades of registered nurses in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The research demonstrated that significant correlation existed between relating what and when to report clinical patient changes and relating theory to practice. Significant differences existed between groups with regard to the stress associated with caring for acutely ill patients, role conflict with medical staff and relationships with senior medical and nursing staff. The findings confirm that environmental stressors are the major stressors in ICU and demonstrate that sound knowledge and clinical assessment skills are important factors in reducing perceived stress, thus supporting the continued need for competency and skills focused post registration courses and in-service education.