Workplace Stress and Well-Being in Nursing: Insights from a Slovenian Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Work-related stress represents a major challenge for nursing professionals and has significant implications for well-being, job satisfaction, and workforce stability. This study aimed to assess psychosocial working conditions and workplace stress among nurses in Slovenia and to identify organisational and occupational factors associated with stress exposure across different levels of care. Methods: A cross-sectional, non-experimental study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire. The sample included 736 nurses employed in outpatient settings, hospital wards, and high-intensity care units. Work-related stress was assessed using the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Work-Related Stress Indicator Tool. Group differences were examined using the Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. Associations between HSE dimensions and sociodemographic and work-related variables were analysed using Spearman's correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression models. Results: Statistically significant differences between job positions by level of care were observed for all HSE domains except Demands. Differences in psychosocial working conditions were observed across levels of care, with several domains showing more favourable scores in outpatient and hospital ward settings compared with high-intensity care environments. Regression analyses identified job position by level of care, education level, income, workload indicators, continuous healthcare provision, and job mobility intentions as significant predictors across multiple HSE dimensions. Correlation analyses revealed consistent associations between adverse psychosocial working conditions, increased workload, and indicators of job mobility. Conclusions: This study shows that psychosocial working conditions among nurses in Slovenia differ by level of care, with several domains showing more favourable scores in outpatient and hospital ward settings than in high-intensity care environments. Work organisation-especially workload, role clarity, and managerial and peer support-was central to stress, linking adverse conditions to workforce instability and retention risks.