Job Stress and Coping Mechanisms among Nursing Staff in a Malaysian Private Hospital

It is a common belief that nurses are exposed to many stressful demands and pressures. This situation can lead to heightened risk of an array of health, safety and other problems. The main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between nurses’ jobs, the work environment, characteristics of individual nurses and management support and coping mechanisms to reduce job stress among nurses. This study uses a quantitative approach in which questionnaires are distributed to nurses to collect data. International and local perspectives on job stress and coping mechanisms among nursing staff are reviewed. Both the current international and local literatures are reviewed using the key themes of nursing stress and coping mechanisms. It is found that the major contributor to job stress among nurses is the job itself. Heavy workload, repetitive work, and poor working environment were among the stressors identified. It is hoped that the results of the study will clarify the relationship between the job itself, the work environment, individual differences and management support with coping mechanisms to reduce job stress among nursing staff in Malaysian private hospitals and indicate what intervention is needed to reduce stress among nursing staff. It is also hoped that the research findings will highlight the necessity for all stakeholders concerned to take proactive measures to alleviate job stress among nursing staff.