Exploring Nurse Stressors in Clinical Settings: A Qualitative Analysis Running Title: Nurse Stressors in Clinical Settings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71164/socialmedicine.v19i2.2026.2023Keywords:
Occupational stressors, Stress, Clinical setting, Nursing, qualitative studyAbstract
Background. Nurses face significant stress due to complex job demands, which can impair their performance, well-being, and job satisfaction. Identifying the specific stressors affecting nurses within clinical settings is essential in improving nurses' coping mechanisms, which will enhance their well-being and foster better patient outcomes. Objectives: The study aimed to explore the specific stressors encountered by nurses in clinical settings in Iran. Material and Method. This qualitative content analysis study employed purposive sampling to conduct semi-structured interviews with 12 nurses in Samen-Alhojaj hospital in Sirjan, until data saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using the Lundman and Granheim approach with MAXQDA 2020 software. Results. The analysis revealed a central theme of “continuous stressors”, which encompassed three categories: “Perceived Professional Constraints”, “Organizational Factors”, and “Individual Factors”. Together, these categories capture the diverse sources of stress nurses face, including professional regulations, ethical concerns, organizational climate and policies, conflicts with colleagues, long and inflexible working hours, and familial or personal challenges. These stressors illustrate the complex and multifaceted pressures inherent in nursing roles. Conclusion. The findings indicate that nurses in clinical settings experience significant stress stemming from professional constraints, organizational conditions, and individual factors. To address these challenges, healthcare institutions should focus on fostering supportive work environments and adopting adaptive policies that meet nurses’ needs, such as flexible scheduling and accessible mental health support programs.
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