Stress Levels among Nurses in the Critical Care Units, at a Level 6 Hospital in Kenya
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Date
2025
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Kenyan Journal of Nursing & Midwifery
Abstract
Introduction: The critical care environment is inherently stressful due to the high-acuity patients, specialized equipment, and the need for healthcare providers to possess the necessary competencies to save lives or mitigate complications. Nurses, as integral members of the healthcare team, often face significant pressure to deliver quality care to patients experiencing potentially life-threatening conditions. It is therefore paramount to establish the causes of stress and stress levels of nurses in the critical care units. The aim of this study was to establish causes of stress and stress levels among nurses in critical care units at Kenyatta National Hospital. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional analytical design was adopted, and, convenient sampling was used to recruit 149 nurses from May to June 2022. Findings: The majority of nurses were females 103 (69.6%) and had undergone critical care training 130 (87.8%). Inadequate staffing during shifts (n=69, 46.6%, Mean=3.01±1.1) was the most common cause of stress and majority of nurses had moderate stress level. Conclusion: The stress levels of nurses in the critical care units were moderate and main cause of stress was work-related. Therefore, the hospital should establish peer assistance programs in CCU like employees' stress management training curriculum, which will encourage an inclusive and diverse environment for active discussion on any concerns found in the clinical set-up.
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Citation
Kamau, J. N., Meng'anyi, L. W., Gachuiri, G., & Mbuthia, N. (2025). Stress Levels Among Nurses in The Critical Care Units, at a Level 6 Hospital in Kenya. Kenyan Journal of Nursing & Midwifery, 10(1).