Stress, Coping, and Psychological Well-Being Among New Graduate Nurses in China

Death and dying, workload, and inadequate preparation were the most common sources of nursing stress, whereas the most frequently used coping strategies were planning, acceptance, and positive reframing.

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between demographic characteristics, sources of nursing stress and coping strategies, and psychological well-being within graduate nurses. Moving from the student role to the staff nurse role can be an uneasy journey, transition is recognized as a stressful experience, and many graduate nurses find it difficult to cope with their new roles in their first few months. Four self-report questionnaires were administered to a sample of 96 new graduate nurses in central China. Death and dying, workload, and inadequate preparation were the most common sources of nursing stress, whereas the most frequently used coping strategies were planning, acceptance, and positive reframing. A number of significant correlations were found among demographic characteristics, sources of nursing stress, coping strategies, and psychological well-being. Negative predictors of psychological well-being were denial (coping strategies) and death and dying (workplace stressor). Role transition is often difficult when an individual comes to a new environment and is given new responsibilities and expectations. Although this transition is stressful and they feel inadequately prepared, with assistance, the new graduate nurses can develop effective coping strategies to adjust to the new role.