Exploring perceived drivers of occupational stress and coping strategies among nurses in the Buea Health District, Cameroon: a qualitative study

Occupational stressors are a major concern among nurses, particularly in low-resource settings such as Cameroon. Nurses face heavy workloads, inadequate equipment, and emotional demands that affect their wellbeing. This study explored perceived drivers of occupational stress and coping strategies among nurses in the Buea Health District, Cameroon, using established stress frameworks. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted among nurses in the Buea Health District, Cameroon. Five of seven health areas were selected through simple random sampling, and eligible nurses were recruited using purposive sampling with predefined quotas of eight nurses per selected health area. Forty nurses participated in four focus group discussions (FGDs), comprising three groups of non-supervisory nurses and one group of supervisors. FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti. Inductive and deductive coding was guided by the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping and the Job Demands–Resources framework. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached, with no substantially new themes emerging during the fourth FGD. Most respondents were female 32 (80%), aged 24–29 years 19 (47.5%), single 28 (70%), and had 1–3 years of work experience 25 (62.5%). Nurses reported major occupational stressors including heavy workloads, inadequate staffing and equipment, poor infrastructure, emotional strain from patient care, and limited institutional and leadership support. Coping strategies included peer support, collaboration, spiritual practices, rest and self-care, humor, leisure activities, professional motivation, and emotional withdrawal. Occupational stress among nurses in the Buea Health District is largely influenced by heavy workloads, staff shortages, inadequate working conditions, emotional demands of patient care, and limited institutional support. To cope with these challenges, nurses rely on strategies such as peer support, spiritual practices, adequate rest, and humor. Although these strategies helped nurses manage immediate stress, they did not address the structural and organizational conditions generating occupational stress. The findings highlight the need for targeted organizational and policy interventions.