Job Stress and Assertiveness Behaviors among ICU Nurses

Cho, Yong-Ae; Kim, Keum-Soon

Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing 2009;2(1):1-14.
Published online March 31, 2009.

중환자실 간호사의 직무 스트레스와 자기주장 행동

조용애, 김금순

¹삼성서울병원 중환자간호팀, 성균관대학교
²서울대학교 간호대학

Job Stress and Assertiveness Behaviors among ICU Nurses

Yong-Ae Cho, Keum-Soon Kim

¹Development, Samsung Medical Center, Graduate School of Clinical Nursing Science, SungKyunKwan University
²College of Nursing, Seoul National University

Abstract

Purpose
This study was designed to identify levels of job stress and assertiveness behaviors and the relationship between them among ICU nurses.
Methods
A correlational descriptive survey was used to these relationships among 454 ICU nurses from 25 hospitals which were members of Korean Association of Critical Care Nurses. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire which included 58 items of job stress and assertiveness scale from November 4 to 14, 2008. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data.
Results
ICU nurses experience mild to moderate degree of job stress, A score of assertiveness behaviors was 2.86. There was a negative relationship between job stress and assertiveness behaviors(r=-.106, p=.024) as influenced by role conflict, lack of professional knowledge and skills, and inappropriate treatment.
Conclusion
ICU nurses, especially nurses with 3-6 year clinical experience, are in need of support to manage their job stress. These nurses should be supported through provision of adequate stress management and assertiveness program.

Key Words: ICU nurse, Job stress, Assertiveness behaviors