Levels of occupational stress in the remote area nursing workforce.
OBJECTIVE
To identify key workplace demands and resources for nurses working in very remote Australia and measure levels of occupational stress in this population.


METHODS
The study used a cross-sectional design, utilising a structured questionnaire.


METHODS
Health centres in very remote Australia.


RESULTS
Nurses working in very remote Australia experience significantly higher levels of psychological distress and emotional exhaustion, compared with other professional populations. Paradoxically, results also highlight higher than average levels of work engagement. Nurses working in very remote regions in Australia further report moderate levels of job satisfaction. Most significant job demands identified were emotional demands, staffing issues, workload, responsibilities and expectations, and social issues. Key job resources included supervision, opportunities for professional development, and skill development and application.


CONCLUSIONS
In a context of high stress, high levels of work engagement and moderate levels of job satisfaction do not obviate high workforce turnover for this population. There is a need to reduce job demands and increase job resources in order to foster long-term work engagement and reduced emotional exhaustion. This might subsequently decrease remote area nursing workforce turnover.
Centre for Applied Psychological Research, University of South Australia, City East Campus, Adelaide South Australia
Tessa
T
Opie
Maureen
M
Dollard
Sue
S
Lenthall
John
J
Wakerman
Sandra
S
Dunn
Sabina
S
Knight
Martha
M
Macleod
D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload