Experience of Job Stress among Nurses Working in Long-term Care Hospital: A Phenomenological Approach

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the subjective experience of job stress among nurses working long-term care hospitals. Methods: A phenomenological approach was used for the study. Data were collected May to June, 2016 using open-ended questions during in-depth interviews. Participants were nurses working long-term care hospitals and had reported experiences of stress. Six nurses participated in this study. Results: themes emerged from the analysis using Colaizzi’s method: (a) Heavy workload and responsibility due to nurse, (b) Getting exhausted by caring for cognitively impaired patients, (c) Feeling pressure due to conflict patients’ family, (d) compassion for patients who are getting worse, (e) Low value in being a long-term hospital, and (f) Efforts to overcome stress. Conclusion: Sufficient labor supply, environmental improvements, program improving interpersonal skills, education and counseling on end-of-life care, and recognition improvement long term hospital are suggested to reduce the job stress of long-term hospital nurses.