A description of the nurses in two Johannesburg central hospitals

Abstract

Background: Emergency nurses are at the forefront of human health care resources. They are the first people encountered by those who are in pain, critically ill, or fighting for their lives. Emergency nurses are exposed to many health and safety hazards such as psychosocial, physical, chemical and ergonomic ones, in the emergency departments. Traditionally, occupational health mostly focused on the identification of physical hazards and risk assessment. However, there is now a global movement to include the identification of psychosocial hazards and risk assessments, as well as to the management of occupational health practice. In addition, the International Council of Nurses is advocating for positive practice environments for nurses. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the psychosocial work environment of emergency unit nurses in two Johannesburg central hospitals. Method: A cross-sectional survey design was used for this study, and data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, namely the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II (COPSOQ II). Data analysis: Data was scored according to the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire scoring system, and analysis by the Stata Window English Version 10.0(StataCorp, 2008). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and the open-ended comment section was analyzed by means of quantitative content analysis and coding. Assistance was sought from a statistician from Botswana regarding the entry and analysis of captured data. Setting: The setting for this study was in the Emergency Departments of two central hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa. Results: A total of 91 (56.2%) of emergency department nurses participated in the study. From the study 76 (83.5%) were females, and 15 (16.4%) were males and mean age for the participants was 34 years. High emotional work demands; lack of appreciation recognition, job satisfaction, justice& respect in the workplace; and burnout and stress were the major indicators of poor psychosocial health among nurses working in the emergency departments .Bullying was rated as the highest inappropriate behavior 51(56%), followed by threats of violence 41(43%),sexual harassment13(14.3%) and physical assault 12(13.2%) respectively. Conclusion: The results of the study highlighted the need for an Occupational Health Programme for nurses working in emergency departments where they are exposed to psychosocial hazards.