Challenge-related stress and felt challenge: Predictors of turnover and psychological health in aged care nurses

AimsTo examine the differential impacts of challenge-related stress (i.e. stress derived from job demands with potential for personal gains) and “perceptions” of job challenges (i.e. felt challenge) on turnover and psychological health in aged care nurses, and to explore whether coping resources were related to challenge-related stress.BackgroundIn residential aged care, nurses undertake a challenging job and experience poor psychological health and high turnover. Understanding the possible antecedents of turnover and psychological health in aged care nurses will assist in developing appropriate interventions.MethodsThis research used existing survey data derived from the Nurses and Midwives e-cohort Study. The sample included 239 Australian residential aged care nurses. Hierarchical logistic and linear regression analyses were used to test five hypotheses.ResultsA greater sense of job challenges appeared to reduce turnover. A higher level of challenge-related stress predicted poorer psychological health. Supervisor support was negatively associated with challenge-related stress.ImplicationsFindings suggest that, to reduce aged care nurse turnover, managers might consider assigning appropriate responsibilities and workload based on the needs of individual nurses. To improve nurses' psychological health, managers might consider increasing work-related coping resources such as supervisor support, co-worker support and opportunities for skill utilization, skill development and decision making. Support from immediate supervisors is the most effective intervention to help nurses cope with challenge-related stress.ConclusionsAlthough the job design of aged care nursing should promote positive challenging aspects of the job, targeted interventions are required to reduce the stress associated with the job challenges.