Time Management Program and Its Effect on Work Stress among Head Nurses

Abstract

Abstract Background: Effective time management has become increasingly important for head nurses to accomplish the health care organizations' objectives. Learning how to manage nursing time at work will reduce work stress, burnout and gain control over work. Aim: the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of time management program for the head nurses on their work stress. Design: Quasi-experimental design (intervention and control group) used in this study. Setting: The study was conducted at Ain-Shams University Hospitals. Sample: The subjects of the study included 115 head nurses working in Ain Shams University hospitals. The subjects were divided into two groups, intervention (61 HN) and control group (54 HN) the groups were selected randomly. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection, Time management knowledge questionnaire, Time management assessment questionnaire and Expanded nursing stress scale. Result: The results indicated that there was a highly statistical significant difference between pre /post, pre / follow up results regarding time management knowledge level , time management skills , time wasters and work stress in favor of the intervention group p-value <0.001, whereas there was no statistically significant difference or improvement in the control group (p > .05). Conclusion: the study revealed that the head nurses work stress decreased markedly after implementing the time management program in the intervention group than the control group. Recommendations: conduct time management training programs for nurse managers in various levels at different health care settings. Train nurses to eliminate time wasters, especially nurses who tolerate more problems and stresses.