Hospital downsizing,individual resources,and occupational stressors in nurses

Abstract

Restructuring and downsizing are occurring increasingly throughout the workplace. As a result, many individuals are losing their jobs. Many others experience job insecurity as a result of the threat of downsizing. As with most other work spheres, several hospitals are closing, resulting in thousands of layoffs. Since nurses constitute one of the main groups employed in hospitals, they are faced with increasing job shortages. This study examines psychological reactions of nurses in response to stressors resulting from hospital downsizing. Individual resources, particularly coping strategies and self-efficacy, can affect the extent to which individuals experience distress as a result of downsizing. A self-report, anonymous questionnaire was filled out and returned by 1363 nurses employed in hospitals in Canada. Results of this study show that amount of work was a consistent and significant stressor in nurses. The greater the nurse's workload, the greater her emotional exhaustion, cynicism, depression and anxiety. Further results reported here indicated that control coping and self-efficacy lessened distress on the job and increased job satisfaction, while escape coping was associated with greater psychological distress and less job security.