Stress Resiliency Practices in Neonatal Nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Occupational Health Psychology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Environmental changes in a large level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) led to perceived work-related stress.
• This stress resulted in high nurse turnover, decreased engagement, and reduced job satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure perceived stress resiliency and interpretive styles in neonatal bedside registered nurses.
• The study focused on nurses facing changes in their physical practice environment.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational design was employed.
• The Stress Resiliency Profile (SRP) questionnaire assessed stress resiliency and three interpretive styles: deficiency focusing, necessitating, and skill recognition.
• Data from 48 neonatal bedside nurses were analyzed for associations between age, experience, and resiliency.

Main Results:

• Skill recognition was significantly lower in nurses aged 40 and older.
• Nurses with over 5 years of NICU experience showed low to moderate resiliency levels.

Conclusions:

• Skill alone may not mitigate work-related stress perception in nurses.
• Interventions focused on interpretive styles can enhance resiliency, improve coping, and manage change effectively.
• Baseline resiliency data are crucial for managing challenges in evolving NICU environments.