The Impact of Stress Among Nurses on Their Job Performance - Essay Example

Quantitative Research Critique Summarization of the Research Study Problem or Purpose The purpose of the study conducted by Farquharson, Bell, Johnston, Jones, Schofield, Allan, Ricketts, Morrison & Johnston (2012), titled “Nursing stress and patient care: real-time investigation of the effect of nursing tasks and demands on psychological stress, physiological stress, and job performance: study protocol”, is to determine the impact of stress among nurses on their job performance. In this regard, the authors note that nurses experience significant occupational stress including both physical and psychological forms. The purpose of this research study was therefore aimed to determine whether higher stress leads to reduction in job satisfaction among nurses, which in turn influences their efficiency and effectiveness in a negative manner altogether (Farquharson et. al., 2012). Study Design The research study of Farquharson & et al. (2012) is designed on the basis of repeated measures and real-time analysis. The study followed a quantitative research approach with due support from the target respondents including ward-based nurses in the hospitals (Farquharson et. al., 2012). Setting Farquharson & et al. (2012) executed the study by recruiting 100 nurses that included 50 surgical nurses and 50 medical nurses. The study was also set based on the selection criteria of the respondents those were involved in medical and surgical practices. Moreover, the exclusion criteria for the study include elimination of the nurses from the study who are involved in dealing with outpatients and specialist units. Furthermore, all the respondents were randomly selected and held for data collection through a set questionnaire in Farquharson et. al. (2012). Data collection The data collection method implemented by Farquharson & et al. (2012) was based on questionnaire interview with the target respondents. With the use of questionnaire, data was collected, which helped determine the relation between stress among nurses and the impact of the same on their effectiveness in terms of their assigned job roles. Data were also collected through real-time observation of the stress level amid nurses in a comprehensive manner. Moreover, data collection process was constructed with regard to the mood of the nurses and its relation with effective execution of their tasks. Theoretical determinants were also used to measure the stress level among nurses with the collection of data from secondary sources such as journals and literature (Farquharson et. al., 2012). Data analysis The data collected by Farquharson & et al. (2012), as discussed above, required effective analysis in order to attain the determined objective. Hence, the collected data was analyzed with the help of Multilevel Modeling Programme, which is an effective tool of quantitative research studies (Farquharson et. al., 2012). Critique of the Study The problem determined in Farquharson & et al. (2012) is important to the nursing domain. This is because of the ineffectiveness of nurses owing to excess stress, which would subsequently affect patients’ health and care needs in a negative manner. The research study attempts to resolve the asserted problem as a proper resolution of the same would lead to the establishment of a healthy society (Farquharson et. al., 2012). The study is important from the perspective of the healthcare professionals, as it would ensure increase of efficiency and effectiveness of the nurses. Farquharson & et al. (2012) thus suggest the importance of reducing stress level among nurses by following a systematic approach. It also suggests the use of several strategies in order to reduce the stress level among the nurses. One of such measures suggested by the researchers is with regard to the changes in environmental conditions that would add psychological refreshment to the behavior and approach of the nurses. These contents in the study have certainly generated or refined knowledge in nursing practice (Farquharson et. al., 2012; Thomas, 2004). In addition, Farquharson & et al. (2012) has paid little focus towards presenting secondary literature contents. This background literature bestows considerable support in establishing a comprehensive understanding with regard to the problem and objective of the study (Farquharson et. al., 2012). The literature background in Farquharson & et al. (2012) also provides comprehensive information with regard to the problems experienced by the nurses, which increases their stress level. This stress among the nurses is relevant to both psychological and physical aspects. The literature study herewith revealed that higher stress level among the nurses strongly affects their efficiency and effectiveness within their work process. This leads to increase in errors among the work execution of the nurses that subsequently affect patients in obtaining the needed care services efficiently. The literature study also revealed the use of Work Observation Method by Activity Timing (WOMBAT) by several healthcare centers in order to determine the effectiveness of the nurses and doctors, which can be regarded as a positive approach (Farquharson et. al., 2012; Fowler, 2008). In Farquharson & et al. (2012), ethical standards were given utmost importance. In this regard, the research study did not attempt to scrutinize any sensitive data in the healthcare centers that would violate ethical values of the professionals. Moreover, it also attempted not to reveal any of the confidential data related to the healthcare centers and the respondent nurses that could further ensure negative impacts for the same. Furthermore, ethical values were also considered by availing free consent from the respondents, which they deemed as confidential and sensitive (Farquharson et. al., 2012). The findings obtained by Farquharson & et al. (2012) reveal the effect of stress amid the nurses, which significantly hampers overall patient care deliverance. Moreover, the research study also recommends that the current healthcare centers need to implement effective stress management training for the nurses, which perhaps shall add to the knowledge prevailing in the field of nursing and healthcare. Furthermore, another significant contribution of this research study is the need for environmental change for the nurses in order to deal with their stress level (Farquharson et. al., 2012; Clarkson, 2008). Conclusion The research study contributes in the development of personal attributes that might lead to effective management of stress from the perspective of a nursing student who inspires to gain excellence in this professional field. This would add to the development of effectiveness and efficiencies of nursing studies as well as improvement within their professional domain. Subsequently, it would lead to proper care deliverance to the patients, which would eventually contribute to the development of a healthy society. From a critical perspective, the research study can be regarded as efficient in determining as well as accomplishing the objectives of the research at large. However, it is important to convey that the research study should have simultaneously used several other quantitative tools, such as correlation and regression in order to enhance the criticality and reliability of the outcomes of the study, which can again be criticized as a research limitation for this study. Moreover, the findings and analysis should also have been more elaborately discussed to ensure a universally accepted outcome. References Clarkson, L. (2008). The Influence of Self-reported Nurse Stress and Coping Processes on the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes. New York: ProQuest. Farquharson, B., Bell, C., Johnston, D., Jones, M., Schofield, P., Allan, J. Ricketts, I., Morrison, K. & Johnston, M. (2012). Nursing stress and patient care: real-time investigation of the effect of nursing tasks and demands on psychological stress, physiological stress, and job performance: study protocol. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 1-9. Fowler, M. D. M. (2008). Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses: Interpretation and Application. New York: Nursesbooks.org. Thomas, S. P. (2004). Transforming Nurses Stress and Anger: Steps Toward Healing. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Read More