Perceived and sources of occupational stress in intensive care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of occupational stress in intensive care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and factors of perceived stress. METHODS: The study had a descriptive design. A total of 262 nurses working in adult intensive care units (ICUs) across Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic constituted the sample. Data were collected by an online survey and the Perceived Stress Scale-14. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one- way analysis of variance, regression analysis and Bonferroni test were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Percentage of nurses with moderate level of occupational stress was 62%. High working hours and nurse:patient ratios, heavy workload and failure in patient treatment were the main factors of occupational stress. Level of occupational stress was affected by gender, number of children, years of experience in intensive care and the type of work shift. CONCLUSION: Intensive care nurses in Turkey experienced moderate stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions to prevent occupational stress among intensive care nurses in the long run might be implemented.