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The Self-described Experience of Coping and Adaptation Associated with Workplace Stress of Registered Nurses in the Acute Care Setting in Florida: An Ethnographic Study

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Date Issued:
2012
Abstract/Description:
ABSTRACTLittle is known about how nurses learn and use coping and adaptation skills in the workplace. Quantitative studies have identified the factors, nature, and outcomes of nursing stress. However, qualitative studies describing the human experience associated with workplace stress are lacking. The phenomenon of interest for this study using focused ethnographic method is the self-described experience of coping and adaptation associated with workplace stress of registered nurses working 12-hour shifts employed in acute care hospital facilities in east central and central Florida. Three aspects of the phenomena were examined: the self-described experiences of stress, the manner in which coping skills are acquired, and the manner in which adaptation strategies are developed by experienced bedside nursing working 12-hour shifts in acute care hospital facilities. The purposive sample included nine female bedside nurses with five or more years' experience, working 12 hour shifts in acute care hospital facilities on bedside units, with patient ratios of 4:1 or greater. Data were collected using semi-structured, digitally recorded interviews at mutually convenient locations. The qualitative data were analyzed using inductive, constant, comparative process of coding, sorting, generalizing, and memoing to guide exploration and identify emergent themes and patterns. The predominant theme of stress emerged as the overwhelming sense of duty to the patient. Additional themes of coping and adaptation were noted. Recommendations for research, education, practice and policy are offered to support a healthy and sustainable nursing workforce.
Title: The Self-described Experience of Coping and Adaptation Associated with Workplace Stress of Registered Nurses in the Acute Care Setting in Florida: An Ethnographic Study.
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Name(s): Burr, Joyce, Author
Bushy, Angeline, Committee Chair
Sole, Mary, Committee Member
Andrews, Diane, Committee Member
Malvey, Donna, Committee Member
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2012
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: ABSTRACTLittle is known about how nurses learn and use coping and adaptation skills in the workplace. Quantitative studies have identified the factors, nature, and outcomes of nursing stress. However, qualitative studies describing the human experience associated with workplace stress are lacking. The phenomenon of interest for this study using focused ethnographic method is the self-described experience of coping and adaptation associated with workplace stress of registered nurses working 12-hour shifts employed in acute care hospital facilities in east central and central Florida. Three aspects of the phenomena were examined: the self-described experiences of stress, the manner in which coping skills are acquired, and the manner in which adaptation strategies are developed by experienced bedside nursing working 12-hour shifts in acute care hospital facilities. The purposive sample included nine female bedside nurses with five or more years' experience, working 12 hour shifts in acute care hospital facilities on bedside units, with patient ratios of 4:1 or greater. Data were collected using semi-structured, digitally recorded interviews at mutually convenient locations. The qualitative data were analyzed using inductive, constant, comparative process of coding, sorting, generalizing, and memoing to guide exploration and identify emergent themes and patterns. The predominant theme of stress emerged as the overwhelming sense of duty to the patient. Additional themes of coping and adaptation were noted. Recommendations for research, education, practice and policy are offered to support a healthy and sustainable nursing workforce.
Identifier: CFE0004525 (IID), ucf:49280 (fedora)
Note(s): 2012-12-01
Ph.D.
Nursing, Nursing
Doctoral
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): Nursing workforce -- stress -- coping -- adaptation -- focused ethnography
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004525
Restrictions on Access: public 2012-12-15
Host Institution: UCF

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