Anxiety and work stress among newly employed nurses during the first year of a residency programme: A longitudinal study.

Abstract

To explore changes in anxiety and work stress among new nurses in the first year of a 2-year residency programme. Few studies have examined the anxiety and work stress of new nurses in a residency programme. This longitudinal study examined levels of anxiety and work stress among newly employed nurses over 1year at 1week and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12months. Participants were purposively sampled from a medical centre in Taiwan. The Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Nurse Stress Checklist were used to measure anxiety and stress, respectively. The nurses (N=200) generally perceived mild levels of anxiety and moderate work stress. However, anxiety and stress peaked at the first and second months. Levels stabilized by the sixth month. General ward nurses perceived higher stress levels than did those in emergency or operating rooms. Stress and work anxiety for new nurses peaked at 1-2months of employment. Nurse managers, preceptors and educators must work together with newly employed nurses in individualized learning and support, doing so to improve the transition experience and reduce levels of work stress and anxiety.