SOURCES OF STRESS AMONG NURSES IN THE OPERATING ROOM, IT’S EFFECTS AND COPING STRATEGIES’

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the sources of stress among nurses working in the operating room, its effects and coping strategies used to reduce stress. The study was conducted at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). The study design is quantitative descriptive in nature and a non-probability sampling method was adopted in selecting a sample size of 30 nurses working at the various operating theatres at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire structure in English and made up of both open and closed ended questions. The collected data was analyzed with SPSS 17-0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) and presented using frequency tables, bar charts and pie charts. The results of the study revealed that nurses working in the operating room did experience stress from different sources such as work overload and shortage of staff among others. Fatigue and reduction of performance were among the effects of stress identified and listening to music, radio and meditation were some of the coping strategies used by nurses working in the operating theatre. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the institution should employ more nurses into the operating room to help reduce work overload and thereby reduce the level of stress operating room nurses experience.