Peer and manager support can mitigate exposure to work-related stress and emotional exhaustion in particularly complex and demanding periods of work.
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Proactive organizational interventions reduce nurses’ work-related stress and increase their job satisfaction and quality of life, even during a healthcare emergency.
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Support from superiors and colleagues, confirmation of trust from patients and family members, empowerment, autonomy, and relations with head nurses can increase job satisfaction and engagement at work.
Abstract
Background
Healthcare emergency can increase work-related stress and reduce nurses’ job satisfaction and quality of life. Managerial decisions and proactive interventions implemented to react to the emergency ensure the best patient outcomes.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to verify whether a proactive organizational approach can limit nurses’ work-related stress and help preserve their job satisfaction and quality of life during a health emergency.
Methods
A longitudinal mixed methods study was conducted. Data were collected before and after the transformation into a SARS-CoV-2 Hospital and the implementation of organizational interventions. Focus groups were conducted to investigate quantitative data.
Findings
After the implementation of interventions and as the pandemic progressed, work-related stress decreased and job satisfaction and quality of life increased.
Discussion
Through proactive organization, even during an emergency, nurses are prepared for working, and work-related stress due to changes is reduced. Nurses are motivated and satisfied with their organization and management, and quality of life increases.