Role stress amongst nurses at the workplace: concept analysis

AIM: The present study explicates the concept of role stress amongst nurses through an analysis adopted from Walker and Avant; Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing, 4th edn, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, NY. BACKGROUND: Role stress has become a significant problem amongst nurses and has created much distress leading to burnout among many in the nursing profession. It is significant to analyse the concept of role stress and its relative attributes and consequences, in order to recognize the necessary antecedents needed to create better conditions for nurses at the workplace. EVALUATION: A modified method developed by Walker and Avant was used for this concept analysis. KEY ISSUES: A model representing the concept of role stress was developed through careful consideration of the attributes, consequences, antecedents and empirical referents of role stress. CONCLUSION: The concept analysis of role stress among nurses at the workplace recognized the vulnerability of the nursing discipline towards burnout and distress in general. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: It is critical to be aware of the current state of health care and note the increased workload created for nurses. Nurses are at a greater vulnerability for role stress, making it imperative for health care organizations to critically evaluate and establish preventative measures for the concept of role stress.