ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL STRESS AMONG CHARGE NURSES WORKING AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH, LAHORE

Background: Stress is a feeling of unease due to the perceived danger from a constantly changing environment around a person. Nursing is one of the most stressful professions known with a diverse range of responses. Professional stress can inflict deleterious consequences to a person’s body, mind and social life which directly and indirectly influence their productivity and efficiency. Hence, this study has been undertaken to evaluate the professional stress among charge nurses working at The Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore. Methodology: The descriptive cross‑sectional study was conducted among 200 charge nurses selected from The

Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore, using multistage sampling technique. Study duration was 6‑months period with a esponse rate of 100%. A self-structured questionnaire was drafted to assess professional stress using Perceived Level of Stress (PLOS) and Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS).

Results: A cross‑sectional study consisted of 200 staff nurses. Majority of the participants (93 [93.0%]) had diploma and 90 (90.0%) nurses worked on day shift. More than 50% charge nurses experienced moderate level of professional stress. Significant positive correlation (r = 0.154, P < 0.001) between ENSS and PSS.

Conclusion: A positive correlation was found between perceived stress and professional stress among charge nurses at The Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore. This shows that those with general stress also have occupational stress.

Keywords: Charge Nurses, professional stress, perceived stress