the goan I network
PANAJI
More significantly, the research has developed two scales to measure workplace stress and coping strategies among nurses, which will provide insights for managers to plan different strategies to reduce or prevent stress at the workplace.
Dr Wilson Nicolau Fernandes, lecturer and head of department at the Department of Mental Health Nursing, Institute of Nursing Education at Bambolim was conferred a PhD in Management Studies by Goa University for his research on “Workplace stress and coping strategies in the Nursing Profession”. He is the first Goan nurse to have been conferred a doctoral degree. He undertook the research under the guidance of Dr R Nirmala, assistant professor at the Department of Management Studies in Goa University.
The study aimed to develop a scale to identify the different dimensions of workplace stress and the coping strategies used by nurses. The study was conducted among 833 nurses working in the private and government sectors in the State.
Dr Fernandes identified eleven dimensions of “stressors” that contribute to stress among nurses working in different health care settings.
The study further established that workplace stress was essentially dealt by nurses using four types of coping strategies -- self blame and social withdrawal, problem solving and planning, turning to god and seeking help and social support. The study also confirmed that nursing is a stressful profession and that, nurses work under stress.
Dr Fernandes also found out that lack of resources and support from supervisors were among the major “stressors” for the nurses.
The data collected from respondents was used to develop two scales -- Nursing Workplace Stress Scale (NWSS) and the Nursing Workplace Coping Strategies Scale (NWCSS) -- to measure workplace stress and coping strategies among nurses. The scales have the scope to be used as a tool for human resource managers to make decisions related to safety, staffing, training programme and support program, while also helping improve work conditions and job satisfaction among nurses.
Dr Fernandes pursued his Master of Science in Mental Health Nursing from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, presently known as Manipal University. He was awarded the prestigious Dr T M A Pai Gold Medal for securing the first rank in MSc Nursing programme. He has presented several papers
at national and international conferences.
