A systematic review exploring the opinions of nurses working in acute hospital placements on stress management during their practice

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My thanks go out to all who have helped me complete this study and with whom this project may have not been possible. In particular, my gratitude goes out to friends, facilitator and family for extensive and helpful comments on early drafts. I am also deeply indebted to the authors who have shared my interest and preceded me. Their works provided me with a host of information to learn from and build upon, also served as examples to emulate.

DECLARATION

I, [names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this research was to critically appraise the literature regarding the nursing stress management in ICU, formulating conclusions and recommendations to practice. This study analyze the nursing stress management by using a systematic review exploring the opinions of nurses working in acute hospital placements. The nursing profession is viewed as a profession that promotes caring and empathetic behaviours towards patients and families. This study was undertaken to investigate reflection on practice by nurses during patient care experiences in acute care setting. A Systematic review is chosen as the research method; this will not only help in summarising the evidence but will also give path for further practice among nurses. Subjects were asked to complete the Nursing Stress Scale developed in 2001 by Gray-Toft and Anderson. This type of design allowed the researcher to determine the perceptions of stress held by nurses working in the acute health care setting. Finding of this study showed that acute hospitals nurses cope with high level of stress. After analyzing the research questions one it is estimated that the perception of most of the nurses working in acute hospitals about stress management during their practice is that working in acute care setting is a critical thing. It is quite difficult to manage stress and cope with performance at the same time. As the patient care in acute hospitals requires better healthcare settings so the work environment of such hospitals should be stress free. The findings of research question two showed that ICU nurses face high level of stress as compare to non-ICU nurses. As ICU nurses have to handle with death and dying situations, end of life decisions and have to work in a high-tech, fast paced and noisy environment where patients are moaning. The findings of research question three showed that for nurse it is quite difficult to manage their stress and patient care at the same time. To cope with stress and quality care of patients the nurses have to organize her to adapt any form of change that come along their way. As nursing is a profession of care so they ought to provide quality care services ...