Identification of stressors related to emergency department employment

Abstract

When compared to other units in acute care facilities, the Emergency Department has been identified by many researchers as the most stressful. Staff in the Emergency Department are faced with many stressors that can lead to burnout and staff shortage. Although stress related to Emergency work has often been discuss specific stressors have not always been identified through research, or studies appear in isolation with no synthesized source easily available. The purpose of this study was to identify stressors related to employment in the Emergency Department that have been validated by research. Using the methodology of a synthesized literature review, 29 research studies, primarily published from 1996-2002, were included. Stressors identified include verbal and physical violence, communication (with patients, families and colleagues), the Emergency Department environment, misuse of the Emergency Department, bed shortage, work overload, poor job structure, work schedule, staff shortage, and inexperience, although findings related to latter varied. Lower stress levels were associated with recognition and appreciation, membership in professional organizations and/or certification and being married. No association was found in relation to gender or income. Limitations are identified and recommendations for applying findings of this study to education, practice, and future research studies are offered.

Notes

This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your thesis or dissertation, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by STARS for more information.

Thesis Completion

2003

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Smith, Frances B.

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

College

College of Health and Public Affairs

Degree Program

Nursing

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Health and Public Affairs;Health and Public Affairs -- Dissertations, Academic;Hospitals -- Emergency services;Hospitals -- Medical staff

Format

Print

Identifier

DP0021768

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS