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Published on: February 23, 2024
The psychosocial functioning of nurses in a burn unit
W C Steenkamp1, A E van der Merwe
1Department of Social Work, Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa.
Summary
Burn unit nurses experience optimal psychosocial functioning despite high stress from workload and low pay. Strong team support helps them cope, highlighting the need for better remuneration and nurse-patient ratios.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Burn unit nurses face unique workplace stressors.
- Assessing psychosocial functioning is crucial for nurse well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the psychosocial functioning of burn unit nurses.
- To identify stressors, coping mechanisms, and support needs in this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Psychosocial Functioning Inventory for quantitative assessment.
- Employed a custom questionnaire for qualitative analysis of stressors and coping strategies.
- Compared burn unit nurses (n=21) with a control group (n=18).
Main Results:
- Burn unit nurses reported optimal psychosocial functioning overall.
- Nurses showed slight overactivation on the stress scale.
- Key stressors included workload and inadequate remuneration.
- Positive peer relationships and team support were vital coping mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Burn unit nurses are resilient but face significant work-related stress.
- Recommendations include improving nurse remuneration and nurse-patient ratios.
- Promoting interdisciplinary teamwork is essential for supporting nurses.
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