Understanding Hospital Nurse Experiences in Coping with Stress Associated with Work-Family Conflict

Work-family conflict is a pervasive issue in contemporary society. The healthcare arena is a context where lack of focus due to elevated stress deriving from work-family conflict could lead to detrimental outcomes for the healthcare organization. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore how hospital nurses who work in a Midwestern U.S. urban healthcare system form the capacity to cope and deal with stress associated with work-family conflict. The aim of this study was to create an evidence-based approach for better understanding how to assist hospital nurses develop the capacity to cope with stress associated with work-family conflict. Semi-structured interviews with 19 nurses representing a cross-section of nursing units within multiple hospitals in a single healthcare network provided the foundation for the data collected within this study. The data analysis process of open, axial, and selective coding presented a vivid picture of the context and process relevant to nurses experiencing work-family conflict. Two models deriving from the findings established the framework for determining and assessing the solutions presented within the study. These solutions include strategies such as, a) enhancing team-building activities; b) providing training and guidance to increase the capacity for nurse supervisors to engage in relationship development conversations; c) integrating a check-in dialogue process within the prep time prior to the shift; and d) formalizing the role of the nurse partner as a support structure. Although the role pressure and role demands typically leading to work-family conflict will not disappear, the solutions proposed in this study will allow leaders to strengthen the informal and formal networks available to support nurses through times of escalated work-family conflict.|Keywords: Work-family conflict, coping, stress, nurses, healthcare, leadership

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Hanson, Bryan James

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Koonce, Rob

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10504/92219

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/92219