title: Role stress among first-line nurse managers and registered nurses - a comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies show that first-line nurse managers (F-LNMs) experience high psychological job demands and inadequate managerial guidance. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether F-LNMs have higher stress levels and show more signs of stress-related ill health than registered nurses (RNs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine possible differences in self-rated health between F-LNMs and RNs on various psychosocial factors (e.g. job demand, job control and managerial support).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected at a university hospital in Sweden. Sixty-four F-LNMs and 908 RNs filled in a web-based questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both F-LNMs and RNs reported having good health. Approximately 10-15% of the F-LNMs and RNs showed signs of being at risk for stress-related ill health. Statistically significant differences (Mann-Whitney U-test) were found in the distribution between the F-LNMs and the RNs on three indices of job control, job demand and managerial support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that F-LNMs were able to cope with high-demand job situations because of relatively high control over work.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implication for nursing management shows the needs for a work environment for both F-LNMs and RNs that includes high job control and good managerial support.
authors: Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. gunilla.johansson@esh.se
authors: Gunilla
authors: G
authors: Johansson
authors: Christer
authors: C
authors: Sandahl
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Hasson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological