Situational stressors perceived and identified by pediatric nurses.

Little is written in regard to the stresses encountered in pediatric Nursing;. The insufficiency of evidence confirming the belief that critical care Nursing; is more stressful than other types of Nursing; care, together with the limited knowledge of pediatric Nursing; stress, provided the impetus for this study. The purpose of the research was to investigate and compare the situational stressors perceived and identified by pediatric intensive and non-intensive care nurses in terms of degree, frequency of occurrence, and source of stress. Questionnaire surveys listing 51 items requiring a numerical response according to graphic scale were distributed of full-time staff nurses in two intensive care and two non-intensive care units in a pediatric hospital. Respondents were instructed to evaluate each item according to its frequency of occurrence and degree of severity in the Nursing; unit. Acceptable questionnaires were received for 27 ICU nurses and 19 non-ICU nurses. Evidence was found supporting the belief that ICU and non-ICU Nursing; stressors were not comparable; however, the non-ICU nurses reported more stresses, in general, both in frequency and degree. Several expected common stressors were identified, yet some differences particular to one group or the other were also recognized. Statistically significant differences were reported in higher frequencies and degrees of stress in the non-intensive care group. Eleven specific stressors were identified, most of which were in the general categories of physical work environment and interpersonal relationships. Five statistically significant stressors were reported in higher frequencies in the ICU group; there were in the category of patient care and the remainder fell within other categories. Most of the coping strategies reportedly practiced were mutually employed by both ICU and non-ICU nurses