Relationship between Occupational Stress and Absenteeism among Staff Nurses

Abstract

Occupational stress has become a major focus of management studies. It emphasizes the importance of understanding nurses individually and decreases the occupational stress and absenteeism. Helping nurses to understand the causes of occupational stress and absenteeism and what they must do to manage and decrease the stress can decrease their absenteeism. The present study aimed at assessing level of the occupational stress, Identifying rate of absenteeism and finding out the relationship between occupational stress and absenteeism among staff nurses at study setting. To achieve these goals of the present study, it was carried out in two hospitals; Nephrology and urology hospital at Mitt Ghammer Dakahlia and Nephrology and urology hospital (Ghoneim) at mansoura-Dakahlia. The sample of the study were all staff nurses (330) presented at the time of data collection. Two tools for collecting data were employed: first, the Stress Rating Scale to assess levels of occupational stress among staff nurses at study setting and second, the absenteeism record to determine absenteeism rate. The results of this study had shown the following findings: -The age of more than one third of the study subject was (39.09%) ranged from 25-30years old. Regarding the position, most of them work as staff nurse (87.27%) and Regarding workplace, (34, 85%) working in dialysis unit. However, about (40.61%) have from (5to10) years experience in nursing. The highest percentages of them were married (68.48%). -The correlation between the occupational stress and absenteeism was statistically significant. - The level of occupational stress was the highest at Mitt Ghammer Hospital, while at Ghoneim hospital was the moderate level of stress. -Mitt Ghammer hospital had the highest absenteeism than Ghoneim hospital. -Unpaid unexcused has the highest mean, while the lowest mean is related annual forms. -Lack of support from hospital administration and conflict with physician were the highest factor contributing to stress at Mitt Ghammer, while at Ghoneim hospital nurses capabilities was the highest factor contributing to stress.