J Korean Biol Nurs Sci.  2021 May;23(2):91-99. 10.7586/jkbns.2021.23.2.91.

Comparison of Occupational Stress and Health Problems between Leavers and Stayers: Focused on Novice Nurses

• Ki J
• Choi-Kwon S

• KMID: 2519492
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7586/jkbns.2021.23.2.91

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to identify occupational stress and health problems as well as turnover reasons among leavers in novice nurses and to estimate factors which might affect turnover by comparing them to stayers.
Methods
In this study, secondary analysis of data gathered from the Shift Work Nurse’s Health and Turnover studies, was carried out. The data were collected from 204 stayers who have been working for 18 months since 2018 and 48 leavers who left within the same period at two tertiary hospitals in Seoul. The reasons for turnover, occupational stress, and 8 types of health problems were recorded. The data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 to obtain descriptive statistics. In parallel, Pearson’s chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, and independent t-test were also conducted.
Results
The main reasons for turnover were job stress and difficult interpersonal relationships in the workplace. Occupational stress of leavers was higher than stayers, especially in the subscales of interpersonal conflict, organizational system, lack of reward, and occupational climate. Among the 8 types of health problems, the depression prevalence of leavers was higher compared to stayers and showed marginal significance. Unexpectedly, the sleep disturbance prevalence of stayers was significantly higher compared to leavers.
Conclusion
To reduce the turnover rate of novice nurses, education on how to cope with occupational stress is needed. A customized program for novice nurses to overcome the difficulties of interpersonal relations would be helpful.

Keyword

Nurse; Personnel turnover; Occupational stress; Depression