The Effects of Psychological Stress on Job Satisfaction Among Nurses in Intensive Care Units

Background and Objectives: Nurses in intensive care units (ICUs) often face with stress and experience various stressful situations. Excessive work stress influences ICU nurses’ physical and mental health, and decreases their life quality and job satisfaction. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of psychological stress on ICU nurses’ job satisfaction. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed among ICU nurses of teaching hospitals in Kerman and Babol, Iran from September 2016 to March 2017. The data-gathering tools were Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Data were analyzed using logistic regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) through SPSS v. 18. Findings: Significant relations were found between job satisfaction and some dimensions of JCQ such as psychological and physical demands, decision authority (autonomy), supervisor support and co-worker support. By increasing scores of decision authority (autonomy) and supervisor support, the chance of job satisfaction increased by 2.33 and 1.56 times respectively in nurses (P = 0.011, P = 0.001). In addition, the nurses with passive and low strain jobs were more satisfied (F = 3.8, P = 0.012) than the nurses with active and high strain jobs (F = 3.8, P = 0.012). Conclusions: High level of satisfaction in ICU nurses could be achieved by participation of nurses in decision making processes and receiving strong support from the supervisors. These actions along with reducing ICU nurses’ burden will give grounds for reducing psychological and physical stress and driving job satisfaction.