The relationship between Extended work hours and stress among nurses in Saudi Military Hospitals

Abstract

Abstract Background: Nursing professionals generally experience high levels of stress due to the nature of roles and responsibilities, however, it is likely also due to extended work hours. While there is existing information on long work hours and stress among nurses working in general healthcare facilities, there is a severe lack of information on the subject matter regarding nurses working in Saudi Arabian military hospitals. Purpose: The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between extended working hours and levels of stress among nurses working in Saudi Arabian military hospitals. Theoretical Framework: Conservation of resources (COR) theory provided theoretical guidance for this study. Methods: A correlational design was used to examine the relationship between extended working hours and levels of stress amongst nurses in Saudi Arabian military hospitals. The participants completed a short demographic survey and ENSS questionnaire. Correlational followed by a regression analysis was used to establish what relationship exists between stress and experience. Results: Statistical analysis showed that hypotheses one through three were not supported. Hypothesis one, a Pearson correlation analysis, discovered that there is no statistically significant relationship between stress levels and shift length (r = 0.015, p = 0.408). Hypothesis two, a Pearson correlation analysis, discovered that there is no statistically significant relationship between stress levels and years of work experience (r = -0.005, p = 0.47). Hypothesis three, a standard multiple regression analysis, revealed that neither of the two predictors—shift length or years of work experience—were v significant predictors of stress levels F (2,230) = 0.03, p = 0.97, with a multiple correlation coefficient R2 value of 0. Conclusions: The results of this study contribute to an understanding of the relationship between extended work hours and stress among nurses in Saudi military hospitals. This area had not yet been addressed in previous studies. The main findings of this study highlighted that the positive social perspectives and strong work ethic of Filipino nurses can prevent these negative circumstances from occurring since these perspectives and ethics reduce the chances that nurses will experience higher levels of stress when working long/extended nursing shifts.