Neonatal intensive care nurse stressors: an American study

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of selected stressors and the level of associated stress experienced by neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses in the USA, and to identify their responses/coping mechanisms. The research instrument consisted of demographic data (education, location of practice, age, years in practice, gender) and a modification of the Stress Audit tool developed by Popoff and Funkhouser (1975). Participants were randomly chosen from health-care units located in the upper Midwest of the USA. Fifty-nine nurses (35%) responded to the postal survey. In terms of scale items, floating out of the unit (ability to staff other units when necessary) was the most stressful item and routine procedures the least stressful item. From a subscale perspective, knowledge was the least stressful and management the most. Subscale scores did not differ by marital status, number of years of practice as a registered nurse, or years of practice in NICU. Coping with stress was best facilitated by discussion with coworkers. Consistency of care, inservice education, mental health days (time off for stress relief, paid or unpaid) and staff support groups were reported as helpful in coping with job-related stress.