DETERMINING THE LEVEL OF STRESS AMONG NURSES AT MARGOSATUBIG

REGIONAL HOSPITAL

APRIL JOY C. BANTILAN

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

TORIBIO MINOR NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL
MARGOSATUBIG, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
 CHAPTER 1

Background of the study

Nursing is generally perceived as demanding profession. Along with the increased

demand and progress in the nursing profession, stress among the nurses has also increased. Stress
is experienced when demands made on us outweigh our resources (Gulavani & Shinde, 2014).
Stress could be defined simply as the rate of wear and tear on the body systems caused by life.
Stress at work is a big problem. Nurses occupy particularly interesting position in the provision
of health care. Often they are the sole intermediary between the physician and the patient and in
the front line of health services. (Dagget et al., 2016). Nurses work long hours; 12-h shifts are
common, especially in hospitals, and the job is physically taxing. In addition, nurses deal with
human suffering daily. Working in the profession of nursing is a demanding and often stressful
occupation. Thus, nurses’ health could be affected by stress dangerous consequences. (Marjun &
Aliramaie, 2010). Current global financial constrains place a burden on the development of
health care services worldwide. Although nurses are the backbone of any health establishment,
they seem are under constant occupational stress which varies from country to country
(Dimitrios 2011). Promoting mental well-being among nurses is crucial to address issues that
may arise from their burnout and psychological distress (Watson, 2023).

Nursing is one of these jobs and nurses suffer from high levels of job stress. As
recommended by the previous studies, job stress is related to decreased creativity and job
satisfaction, lower rate of timely decision making, decreased quality of care, increased errors,
decreased motivation, depression, detachment, decreased mental and physical well-being, sleep
disorders, depression, burnout, absenteeism, lower job satisfaction, and physical problems
(Gheshlagh et al., 2017). All in all, nursing is invariably assumed to be a stressful area within the
health service. Nurses experience a variety of occupational stress, the most common source
being the pressure of workload (Wheeler and Riding, 1994). Insufficient time for patient care,
poor work environment and difficult patients are also frequently mentioned as main sources of
occupational stress. Moreover, perceived lack of social support from supervisors and peers can
also produce stress in the workplace (Stewart and Arklie, 1994). Research studies on stress in
nursing have identified a variety of stressors include poor working relationships between nurses
and doctors and other health care professionals, demanding communication and relationships
with patients and relatives, emergency cases, high workload, understaffing and lack of support or
positive feedback from senior nursing staff, role conflict, home-work imbalance (Gulavani &
Shinde, 2014).

In this study, we content analyse reports of occupational stress among hospital nurses in
five countries (Hungary, Israel, Italy, U.K., and USA). Most studies of occupational stress
among nurses have been conducted quantitatively and in single countries (Beehr & Glazer, 2001;
Glazer & Beehr, 2005). The problem concerning the definition of stress is compounded when
traversing national boundaries (Glazer 1999) noted that translating ‘stress’ into Hebrew could
result in two words that, back-translated into English, would mean “pressure” (or stressors) or
“strains/anxiety. Determining which stressors are most salient across different countries is
relevant in order to develop prevention strategies and/or the resources needed to deal with the
relevant stressors. (Beehr, Jex, Stacy, and Murray, 2000). Nurses play an important role in
coordinating the patient education and care, and thus should ensure appropriate treatment for
foreign patients, as for all patients (Dikmetas 2006, Douglas et al. 2011). As nurses give their
patients an opportunity to express their cultural values, recognise and consider their cultural
identity, the quality of nursing care will increase (Foronda 2008, Maier-Lorentz 2008, Iz &
Temel 2009).

A national survey conducted by the American Nurses Association revealed that nearly
70% of nurses reported experiencing high levels of stress, with many citing increased
workloads and emotional strain as key factors (American Nurses Association, 2006). The
National Nurses United (NNU) conducted a comprehensive study in 2008, which found that
administrative burdens, short staffing, and exposure to traumatic events significantly
contribute to nurse stress (National Nurses United, 2008). According to a 2008 report from
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), stress among nurses is
linked to higher rates of burnout, anxiety, and depression, which can impact both personal
well-being and professional performance (NIOSH, 2008). Research published in the Journal
 of Nursing Administration in 2014 highlights that effective support systems, including mental
health resources and stress management programs, can mitigate the adverse effects of stress
among nurses (Smith & Jones, 2014). Stress among nurses is a pervasive issue with
significant implications for their mental health and overall job satisfaction. National studies
underscore the need for targeted interventions and support systems to address these challenges
effectively.

Nurses in the Philippines, much like their counterparts globally, face significant stress in
their profession. Factors such as high patient loads, inadequate resources, and emotional strain
contribute to their stress levels. Understanding these issues is essential for improving their
working conditions and overall well-being. A study conducted by (Danao et al. 2013)
investigated stress among nurses in various hospitals in Metro Manila. The study found that
nurses reported high levels of stress due to heavy workloads, inadequate staffing, and the
emotional toll of dealing with critical patients (Danao, J., de Guzman, A., & Garcia, R., 2016).
The Philippine Journal of Nursing, high stress levels among nurses are associated with increased
burnout and job dissatisfaction. The study highlights that chronic stress negatively affects both
mental and physical health, leading to higher turnover rates among nursing staff (Cruz, L., &
Mendoza, J., 2016). A study published in Nursing and Health Sciences examined the
effectiveness of stress management programs in Philippine hospitals. The research found that
interventions such as counseling services and stress management workshops were beneficial in
reducing stress levels and improving job satisfaction among nurses (Santos, M., & Reyes, P.,
2016).

The Philippines, the stress levels among nurses have been acknowledged, but specific
regional studies, particularly in rural settings like Margosatubig, are sparse. What is known is
that nurses in general experience significant stress due to factors such as workload, emotional
strain, and inadequate support systems. What remains unknown is the specific stressors affecting
nurses at Margosatubig Regional Hospital and the extent to which these stressors impact their
 professional and personal lives. Conducting this study is essential for several reasons.
Understanding the specific stressors faced by nurses at Margosatubig Regional Hospital can
provide insights into regional and contextual factors that might differ from other settings. Given
that stress has a direct impact on the quality of patient care, addressing these stressors is crucial
for improving healthcare outcomes. Nationally, while general studies on nurse stress exist,
localized research helps tailor interventions and support systems to the unique challenges faced
by healthcare professionals in specific areas, this study will fill a research gap by providing data
that is specific to the Margosatubig context, contributing valuable information to the broader
body of knowledge on nurse stress. Seeing the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in
these settings has driven the desire to explore and address their specific needs. The goal is to
contribute to the enhancement of their work environment, ultimately benefiting both the nurses
and the patients they serve.

Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework of this research uses IPO Input, Process, Output format. The first
frame present the input of the study that includes the Demographic profile of the respondent such
as their Age, Gender, Status, and Years of Working. The second frame presents the process of
the study which we have Asking a permit, Profiling, Survey Questionnaire, Date gathering, and
Data Analysis. Lastly, the third frame presents the output of the study which is The Determining
the Level of Stress among Nurses at Margosatubig Regional Hospital.

Process

1. Asking a permit
Input
2. Profiling
Demographic profile:
3. Imterview Guide Output
1. Profile of the respondents
2. Age Question.
3. Gender Determining the stress level
4. Status 4. Survey among the nurses of Margosatubig
5. Work Position
6. Length of experience as Questionnaires Regional Hospital
nurses
5. Data Gathering

6. Data Analysis
 Figure 1. Input-Process-Output Model of the Study.

Statement of the problem

This study seeks to investigate the stress level among the nurses of Margosatubig Regional
Hospital. This stress, which takes as a negative impact of nurses towards patients. By examining
the factors contributing this stress, the reasearch aims to uncover the factors that may cause the
nurses stress levels.

1. What is the level of stress among nurses?

a. High
b. Moderate
c. Low

2. What is the cause of the nursing stress?

a. Emotional Demands
b. Workload
c. Adminitrative Task
d. Work Environment

3. What is the effect of the stress to the nurses?

a. Job Satisfaction
b. Career Advancement
c. Effect to the mental health
 Significance of the study

The Department of Health (DOH) may find the study's findings to be extremely
important because they can be used as baseline data for formulating plans to enhance nurses'
mental health support networks and general well-being. The results of this study may also help
the management of Margosatubig Regional Hospital by shedding light on the stress levels that
nurses encounter. This will allow the management to design focused interventions that will
improve the working environment and general job satisfaction of the hospital's medical staff.

This study also has implications for the Margosatubig Local Government Unit
(LGU) since it emphasizes the significance of treating occupational stress among nurses, which
is essential for preserving an effective and efficient healthcare system in the community.
Through an awareness of the elements that lead to stress in nurses, the local government (LGU)
can proactively assist these vital employees' emotional and physical well-being.

Future researchers that want to go deeper into similar subjects, such how occupational
stress affects healthcare workers' performance or if stress management therapies are beneficial in
hospital settings, may find great value in the study's conclusions. Insight into the difficulties
faced by nurses and other healthcare professionals can be expanded by using the data collected
as a basis for additional research.

Lastly, by making nurses more conscious of the possible stresses in their workplace, this
study hopes to motivate them to look for help and learn stress-reduction strategies. By doing this,
nurses at Margosatubig Regional Hospital will be more capable of meeting the demands of their
line of work, which will eventually result in higher-quality patient care.
 Scope and Delimitations

The goal of the study is to determine how much stress the nurses at Margosatubig
Regional Hospital are under. The objective is to ascertain the stressors that impact nurses and
assess the level of stress they encounter in their respective occupations. Structured questionnaires
were used to collect data for the assessment, which was carried out just inside Margosatubig
Regional Hospital. Other healthcare workers, such as physicians or administrative personnel, are
not included in the study, nor are nurses from other hospitals or healthcare facilities.
Additionally, neither the effectiveness of certain stress management techniques nor the long-term
effects of stress are covered. The nurses at this specific hospital's stress levels and related
variables are the only topics of discussion.

Definition of Terms

The researcher conceptually and operationally defined some terms that were commonly used
in the study to arrive at common understanding of the word described:

Stress: as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation.

Level: above or below a given point.

Emotional Demands: Dealing with critically ill patients, family dynamics, and end-of-life
issues.

Workload: High patient-to-nurse ratios, long shifts, and the intensity of care required

Administrative Tasks: Paperwork, compliance with regulations, and dealing with

bureaucracy.

Job Satisfaction: High stress levels may lead to decreased job satisfaction, prompting
nurses to seek alternative employment or change specialties.

Career Advancement: Stress can impact motivation and energy levels, affecting
decisions related to pursuing further education or career advancement.
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