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What is Stress?
The National Institute of Mental Health defines stress as the brain's response to any demand. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines job stress as " the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury". Stress in nursing profession has long been recognized since the 1960s according to an article published by Bonni Jennings on National Center for Biotechnology Information. Since the mid-1980s, however, nurses’ work stress may be escalating due to the increasing use of technology, continuing rises in health care costs and turbulence within the work environment (NCBI).
How does stress affect the body?
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) "nurses are exposed to many stressful demands and pressures and are therefore at heightened risk for an array of health, safety, and other problems. One fourth of workers in the United States view their jobs as the top stressor in their lives, and 26%-52% of workers report moderate-to-high levels of stress at work . Furthermore, 75% of employees believe that they incur more on-the-job stress than workers did a generation ago. The following are some of the negative impact of job stress on the body according to CDC:
How does stress affect productivity?
"Job stress is believed to account for approximately 50% of all workplace absences and for as much as 40% of employee turnover. These and other stress-related outcomes result in considerable losses to industry, costing employers up to $60 billion per year. Significant financial costs associated with job stress also are absorbed by the US economy. Econometric analyses show that healthcare expenditures have increased nearly 50% for workers who perceive their jobs as stressful and nearly 200% for those who report high levels of job stress and depression. According to national estimates, the total cost of job stress incurred by the US economy ranges from $250-$300 billion annually" (CDC).
The National Institute of Mental Health defines stress as the brain's response to any demand. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines job stress as " the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury". Stress in nursing profession has long been recognized since the 1960s according to an article published by Bonni Jennings on National Center for Biotechnology Information. Since the mid-1980s, however, nurses’ work stress may be escalating due to the increasing use of technology, continuing rises in health care costs and turbulence within the work environment (NCBI).
How does stress affect the body?
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) "nurses are exposed to many stressful demands and pressures and are therefore at heightened risk for an array of health, safety, and other problems. One fourth of workers in the United States view their jobs as the top stressor in their lives, and 26%-52% of workers report moderate-to-high levels of stress at work . Furthermore, 75% of employees believe that they incur more on-the-job stress than workers did a generation ago. The following are some of the negative impact of job stress on the body according to CDC:
- Job stress is strongly correlated with problems in health and safety including mood and sleep disturbances, upset stomach, headaches, and disrupted familial relationships.
- Rapidly accumulating evidence suggests that stress at work plays an important role in high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease, infectious and autoimmune diseases, anxiety and depression, and accidents and injuries.
- Job stress has far-reaching consequences, not only for the health and safety of workers but also for employers.
- Stress contributes to outcomes that threaten organizational success, including physical injuries at work, absenteeism, turnover, reduced productivity, diminished job satisfaction, low morale, and burnout" .
How does stress affect productivity?
"Job stress is believed to account for approximately 50% of all workplace absences and for as much as 40% of employee turnover. These and other stress-related outcomes result in considerable losses to industry, costing employers up to $60 billion per year. Significant financial costs associated with job stress also are absorbed by the US economy. Econometric analyses show that healthcare expenditures have increased nearly 50% for workers who perceive their jobs as stressful and nearly 200% for those who report high levels of job stress and depression. According to national estimates, the total cost of job stress incurred by the US economy ranges from $250-$300 billion annually" (CDC).