Nurses: Exercise Practices and Perceived Stress
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Authors
Dybdal, Gudrun Oline
Issue Date
1989
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Studies have identified nursing as a highly stressful profession. High levels of stress have implications for the quality of patient care, the quality of life for nurses, and the retention of nurses in the workforce. Physical fitness, specifically aerobic exercise, has been identified as an effective stress management strategy. This study examined the perceived level of stress in registered nurses working in acute care hospitals who participate in regular aerobic exercise, versus those who do not exercise. Participants completed a questionnaire which included a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Stress Management Strategy and Exercise Practices Inventory (SMSEPI), and demographic information. There was a 46% response rate (n=233). Findings of the data analysis supported the hypothesis that registered nurses who participate in regular aerobic exercise experience a lower level of perceived stress than those who do not (p<.005). Med-surg nurses were found to experience a higher level of perceived stress than any other group.