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The role of physical design and informal communication

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infections, pneumonia, cardiac arrest, <strong>and</strong> even death (Needleman, Buerhaus, Mattke,<br />

Stewart, & Zelevinsky, 2002).<br />

1.4 Job Stress in Nurses<br />

Given the current shortage <strong>of</strong> nurses, consideration <strong>of</strong> the factors that influence<br />

voluntary nurse turnover is crucial. Job stress is <strong>of</strong> particular concern when it comes<br />

to underst<strong>and</strong>ing why nurses intend to leave the pr<strong>of</strong>ession. According to a survey <strong>of</strong><br />

registered nurses, the primary reason why nurses leave healthcare, other than for<br />

retirement, is to find a job that is less stressful <strong>and</strong> <strong>physical</strong>ly dem<strong>and</strong>ing (Peter D.<br />

Hart Research Associates, 2001). In addition to the <strong>physical</strong> dem<strong>and</strong> associated with<br />

st<strong>and</strong>ing for long periods <strong>and</strong> lifting patients, nursing is emotionally taxing as well.<br />

French, Lenton, Walters, <strong>and</strong> Eyles (2000) have identified workplace stressors that<br />

could potentially affect nurses including problems with peers, coping with dying<br />

patients, workload, <strong>and</strong> uncertainty concerning treatment, to name just a few. In<br />

addition, inter-pr<strong>of</strong>essional conflict between nurses <strong>and</strong> physicians has been found to<br />

be a significant source <strong>of</strong> stress (Hillhouse & Adler, 1997; Bratt et al., 2000; Ball et<br />

al., 2002).<br />

Although the intensity <strong>of</strong> these work-related stressors may vary between<br />

practice areas (McVicar, 2003), the literature is consistent in identifying stress as a<br />

major factor contributing to job dissatisfaction <strong>and</strong> burnout. A number <strong>of</strong> studies have<br />

investigated the reasons that RNs intend to quit, <strong>and</strong> job stress is consistently among<br />

the most frequently reported (Gardulf, 2005; Daily, 1990; Stolte & Myers, 1995;<br />

Collins et. al, 2000). In an exploration <strong>of</strong> predictors <strong>of</strong> turnover in RNs., Shader,<br />

Broome M., Broome C., West, & Nash (2001) found a correlation between high job<br />

stress <strong>and</strong> greater intention to quit. Considering the large body <strong>of</strong> literature<br />

establishing the reality <strong>of</strong> significant job stress in nurses <strong>and</strong> its relationship to<br />

8

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