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The role of physical design and informal communication

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• According to the GN, the greatest aids to learning were feedback from the<br />

Orientor <strong>and</strong> interaction with nursing assistants. Being asked questions by the<br />

nursing assistants put the GN in a teaching <strong>role</strong> which facilitated her own<br />

learning in the process.<br />

3.5 Biological <strong>and</strong> Perceived Stress<br />

<strong>The</strong> GN’s perceived <strong>and</strong> psychological stress levels were assessed over the<br />

course <strong>of</strong> orientation. Perceived stress was assessed through the stress section <strong>of</strong> the<br />

survey <strong>and</strong> was compared with the mean stress ratings <strong>of</strong> the unit staff. Biological<br />

stress was assessed by taking blood pressure readings three times daily (twice at each<br />

recording) from week 2 through week 9. Mean weekly blood pressure readings were<br />

then compared to weekly competency ratings.<br />

3.5.1 Perceived Stress: Survey Responses<br />

<strong>The</strong> GN mean rating for T1 <strong>and</strong> T2 <strong>of</strong> the stress survey was 1.99. <strong>The</strong> means<br />

for T1 <strong>and</strong> T2 decreased slightly from 2.12 to 1.85. <strong>The</strong> ratings for each question<br />

didn’t change by more than one point from T1 <strong>and</strong> T2. When the survey items were<br />

grouped by the six sub-scales used by Gray-T<strong>of</strong>t & Anderson (1981), situations<br />

relating to “Conflict with Other Nurses” had the lowest mean rating (Table 15).<br />

Situations relating to “Work Load” had the highest mean rating. In addition, the two<br />

situations reported as the most stressful (both given the highest mean rating <strong>of</strong> 3.5) by<br />

the GN were “Unpredictable staffing <strong>and</strong> scheduling” <strong>and</strong> “Not enough staff to<br />

adequately cover the unit.” <strong>The</strong> fact that “Work Load” was reported as the largest<br />

perceived stressor is not surprising given the shortage <strong>of</strong> nursing assistants on 6N as<br />

described by nurses in interviews.<br />

98

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