Correlation of Occupational Stress with Professional Self-concept in Pediatric Nurses

In pediatric wards with high stress levels, nurses with high professional self-concept can provide better care for the patients. This study aimed at determining the correlation between the occupational stress and professional self-concept among the pediatric nurses in teaching hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study, 165 pediatric nurses were selected from the teaching hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran using the accessible sampling method. Data were collected using the demographic questionnaire, Expanded Nurse Stress Scale, and Nurse Self-concept Questionnaire. The content validity index of the instruments and their reliability were measured by the Cronbach's alpha (with 15 pediatric nurses) and test retest was measured after 10 days. Data were analyzed by the SPSS 24 software. Results: Results showed that the total mean score of occupational stress in pediatric nurses was 137.22 45.09 and the total mean score of professional self-concept in pediatric nurses was 231.09 49.06. Moreover, there was a negative linear correlation between occupational stress and professional self-concept. Conclusions: Due to the negative linear correlation between occupational stress and professional self-concept, it can be concluded that with the reduction of occupational stress in pediatric nurses, professional self-concept increases. Also, with increasing the self-concept, the occupational stress in pediatric nurses decreases. It is suggested that in the nursing management system, special attention should be paid to nurses' self-concept.