Job strains and job satisfaction of dialysis nurses

Results are reported from an investigation on job strains in dialysis nurses and needs for psychosocial staff training. 174 dialysis nurses in the Federal Republic of Germany answered the clinical questionnaire, which was distributed in cooperation with the German section of the EDTNA. Although the majority emphasized positive aspects of the job (particularly responsible work, contact to patients, and teamwork), more than one-fourth of the nurses reported marked psychosocial strains. Main sources of stress were doubts about the principle of maximum therapy, the consumerism of some patients, and intrateam tensions. Almost two-thirds confirmed the necessity of psychosocial staff training, favoring training units of 1-2 h once a month. In the staff's opinion psychosocial staff training should mainly include casework and cognitive as well as behavioral training for a better handling of patients and conflicts. Main topics suggested by the nurses for discussion were depression, coping with illness as well as handling of aggressive and pretentious patients. Finally, implications of the findings with respect to the goals and performance of psychosocial staff training are discussed.