High awareness of work responsibilities

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 78 views

The Nurse Coping Mechanism in Dealing with Work Stress in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Arifin Achmad Hospital Pekanbaru: Phenomenology Study

Introduction

Working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a high-pressure environment that requires nurses to be constantly alert and responsive to the needs of critically ill patients. The demands of this role can be overwhelming, leading to work stress that can negatively impact the quality of care provided by nurses. In this context, it is essential for nurses to develop effective coping mechanisms to manage work stress and maintain their well-being.

Background

Nurses who work in the ICU are often exposed to a high level of stress, which can be caused by various factors such as heavy workloads, long working hours, and the emotional demands of caring for critically ill patients. Work stress can have a significant impact on the quality of care provided by nurses, leading to errors, burnout, and decreased job satisfaction. Therefore, it is crucial for nurses to develop effective coping mechanisms to manage work stress and maintain their well-being.

Methodology

This qualitative study used the hermeneutic phenomenology approach to explore the experiences of nurses in using coping mechanisms to deal with work stress in the ICU. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations with ten ICU nurses who were chosen using purposive sampling techniques. The data was analyzed using the Van Manen (1990) approach, which grouped the themes into four worlds experienced: Corporeality, Relationality, Spatiality, and Temporality (Time).

Research Findings

Corporeality (Body)

The analysis of the data revealed four themes that reflect aspects of corporeality, including:

High awareness of work responsibilities: Nurses show a deep awareness of their responsibilities, which motivates them to provide the best service.
Confidence: Nurses have confidence in carrying out heavy tasks, which are one of the keys to face challenges in the ICU.
Self-capacity through a spiritual approach: Many nurses who use the spiritual approach as a way to overcome problems, give them calm and mental support.
Self-transfer: Nurses also use personal transfer techniques, such as doing other activities outside of work to reduce stress.

Relationality (Relationship)

The analysis of the data revealed four themes that reflect aspects of relationality, including:

College and Social Support: Support from coworkers is very important in overcoming the problems encountered at work.
A positive attitude towards members of the Health Team: Building a good relationship with the health team can create a more supportive work environment.
Understanding the nature and needs of patients: Knowing the patient's needs not only helps in service but can also reduce tension in the workplace.
Negative attitude towards others: Some nurses have difficulty interacting with individuals outside the health team, which can make stress worse.

Spatiality (Space)

The analysis of the data revealed two themes in the spatiality aspect, including:

Work environment as a vehicle for learning: Supporting environment can be a place to learn and develop for nurses.
Creating a comfortable work atmosphere: Efforts to create a comfortable work atmosphere are very important to reduce stress.

Temporality (Time)

The analysis of the data revealed two themes that reflect the temporality aspects, including:

Relatively long time to deal with stress: The process of dealing with stress is not always instant, and some nurses may require longer time to overcome them.
Effective use of rest time: Optimizing rest time is very important to recover from pressure.

Recommendation

This study found four themes related to work stress, namely the causes, symptoms, time, and impact of the stress. Based on these findings, it is recommended to the nursing administrator to develop the right strategy in reducing nurse stress. One way is to create a comfortable work environment and increase the capacity of nurses through appropriate training and support. With this holistic approach, nurses are expected to be able to deal with work stress better and provide optimal health services to patients in the ICU.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the coping mechanisms used by nurses in the ICU to deal with work stress. The findings highlight the importance of creating a comfortable work environment, increasing the capacity of nurses through training and support, and promoting a positive attitude towards members of the health team. By implementing these strategies, nursing administrators can help reduce nurse stress and improve the quality of care provided to patients in the ICU.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nurse Coping Mechanism in Dealing with Work Stress in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Q: What is work stress in the ICU?

A: Work stress in the ICU refers to the emotional and psychological strain that nurses experience while working in this high-pressure environment. It can be caused by various factors such as heavy workloads, long working hours, and the emotional demands of caring for critically ill patients.

Q: What are the causes of work stress in the ICU?

A: The causes of work stress in the ICU include heavy workloads, long working hours, emotional demands of caring for critically ill patients, lack of support from colleagues and supervisors, and inadequate training and resources.

Q: What are the symptoms of work stress in the ICU?

A: The symptoms of work stress in the ICU include anxiety, depression, burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and decreased quality of care provided to patients.

Q: What are the coping mechanisms used by nurses in the ICU to deal with work stress?

A: The coping mechanisms used by nurses in the ICU to deal with work stress include:

High awareness of work responsibilities
Confidence in carrying out heavy tasks
Self-capacity through a spiritual approach
Self-transfer (doing other activities outside of work to reduce stress)
College and social support
Positive attitude towards members of the health team
Understanding the nature and needs of patients
Creating a comfortable work atmosphere
Effective use of rest time

Q: What is the importance of creating a comfortable work environment in reducing nurse stress?

A: Creating a comfortable work environment is essential in reducing nurse stress because it can help to reduce anxiety and depression, improve job satisfaction, and improve the quality of care provided to patients.

Q: What is the role of nursing administrators in reducing nurse stress?

A: Nursing administrators play a crucial role in reducing nurse stress by creating a comfortable work environment, increasing the capacity of nurses through training and support, and promoting a positive attitude towards members of the health team.

Q: What are the benefits of reducing nurse stress in the ICU?

A: The benefits of reducing nurse stress in the ICU include improved quality of care provided to patients, improved job satisfaction, reduced turnover rates, and improved patient outcomes.

Q: How can nurses prioritize their own well-being in the ICU?

A: Nurses can prioritize their own well-being in the ICU by:

Taking regular breaks and using their time off
Engaging in self-care activities such as exercise and meditation
Seeking support from colleagues and supervisors
Prioritizing their own physical and emotional needs
Seeking help when needed

Q: What are the implications of this study for nursing practice and education?

A: The implications of this study for nursing practice and education include the need to prioritize nurse well-being, create a comfortable work environment, and provide training and support to nurses to help them manage work stress.