Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association
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Research on stress experienced by staff in critical care units has predominantly focused on the nurses; however, a small number of investigations have centred on intensivist neonatologists and paediatricians. Australian studies which have highlighted the major stressors encountered by critical care staff are reviewed. Research is reported which suggests that job satisfaction is diminished for staff working within highly stressful critical care units. Implications are discussed in order to focus attention upon the effects of high dependency stressful work environments.
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Two hundred and fifty-one registered nurses who left a major teaching hospital during a three year period from May 1984 to April 1987, completed a questionnaire which sought information on their period of employment and reasons for leaving. The most common work related reasons given by registered nurses for leaving, were excessive workload and inflexible rostering practices. They also perceived positive interpersonal relationships among staff as the single most satisfying factor about the work environment. Management and staff based initiatives are suggested in order to minimise work related reasons for registered nurse turnover.
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In addition to handling urgent emergency calls for advice about major poisonings, the NSW Poisons Information Centre handles calls from the general community about poisonings of a much more minor nature. Although these poisonings may be perceived by the callers to be significant, the only action required is either reassurance that there is, in fact, no problem or simple treatment that does not require further intervention. The study demonstrates that callers in this category would have sought professional advice elsewhere had the Centre not existed and the subsequent cost effectiveness of the Centre's role in taking these calls.
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Survey research among a sample of just over 900 nurses reveals that at any time there are some factors operating to enhance morale while other factors are constraints upon morale. It is suggested that a number of current problems relating to nursing morale can be solved only by that profession itself. Within the article several avenues for such ameliorative action are suggested or implied. Among many nurses there is evidence of considerable tenacity in their dedication.