Impact of role stressors on nurse managers’ health

Editor's Note

This Canadian study finds that nurse managers’ coping strategies may be inadequate and could negatively impact their long-term health.

Interviews with 23 nurse managers and 1 focus group found that nurse managers have severely high levels of role stressors that include:

• Working with limited resources (budget and staff).
• Responding to a continual flow of new initiatives that include the Lean management system, models to enhance patient flow, and improving the delivery of care.
• A perceived lack of understanding and support by senior administrators regarding the reality of practice environments and the extent to which nurse managers can facilitate change.

Though there is evidence of coping strategies, they may be inadequate given the intensity and demands of the role, the researchers say. Mental health issues may manifest as depression, anxiety, or somatic illness.

The findings support the need for leadership development to decrease nurse managers’ stress and improve their sense of self-efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: A qualitative exploratory inquiry was used to understand nurse managers’ (NMs’) perceptions of their role stressors, coping strategies, and self-health related outcomes as a result of frequent exposure to stressful situations in their role. BACKGROUND: Strong nursing leadership is req...