Fatigue and Job Stress in University Hospital Nurses

Lee, Kyung Jae

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate fatigue-related risk factors among university hospital nurses.
METHODS
A total of 309 subjects were analyzed among university hospital nurses and interviewed by well trained interviewer using a structured questionnaire and fatigue related factors to gather information on demographics, social and work characteristics, fatigue symptoms, and job stress related to their occupation. Multiple regression modeling was used to test the assessment of fatigue-related risk factors.
RESULTS
A significant increase in fatigue was observed in the high stress group related to job demand, organizational system, lack of reward, and occupational climate than in the low group (P<0.001; P=0.008; P=0.045; P=0.003, respectively). In a multiple regression analysis, fatigue was associated with job demand, insufficient job control, and occupational climate (P=0.007; P=0.024; P<0.001, respectively). Fatigue was associated with work department, although a borderline statistical significance was seen (P=0.005).
CONCLUSION
To prevent fatigue in university hospital nurses, it is important to consider work department, job contents, and working environment related to job stress. Preventive strategies to lower fatigue will be needed under the consideration of job stress related to job demand, insufficient job control and occupational climate for university hospital nurses.