Impact of working during the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing staff stress levels

Abstract

Introduction. Stress is one of the major occupational hazards in nursing profession. The COVID-19 pandemic has further challenged healthcare professionals, which can increase mental strain. 

The aim. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress levels of nursing staff not working in close proximity to the infected patients.

Materials and methods. The study involved a group of 65 people from nursing staff working in seven hospital wards. The respondents were aged between 20–65 years. For the purpose of the research, the author's own survey and one standard research tool were used, i.e. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10).

Results. The outbreak of the pandemic resulted in a change in the perception of stress in 98.5% of respondents. 89.2% of people noticed more intense symptoms of stress. Stress was compounded, above all, by changes at the level of work organization as well as the fear of infection and the transmission of the virus from the work environment to family members. In 6.2% of respondents, thoughts about quitting or changing jobs were quite frequent. After one year of working in a pandemic, stress levels were moderate to low.

Conclusions. The level of stress, measured one year after the outbreak of the pandemic, does not indicate excessive stress, but the adaptation phase in a crisis situation. The effects of working under chronic stress may not be visible until the future. Further stress monitoring and providing nursing staff with psychological support is highly advisable.