Work-related stress of nurses in Poland and Lithuania: countries under the influence of war circumstances in Ukraine.

BACKGROUND

Nursing is a challenging profession, often associated with high levels of work-related stress. Recent geopolitical events, such as the conflict in Ukraine, may further exacerbate stress among healthcare workers in neighbouring regions. Understanding stress levels among nurses is crucial for enhancing patient care and improving the well-being of medical staff.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess work-related stress among nurses in Poland and Lithuania, taking into account the potential impact of regional geopolitical factors.

METHODOLOGY

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 482 Polish and 380 Lithuanian nurses. The online survey was performed using the standardized Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS). To compare quantitative variables between groups, the Mann-Whitney and the Kruskal-Wallis test (with Dunn's post-hoc test) were used. The significance level was set at 0.05, and effect sizes were calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and eta-squared (η²).

RESULTS

The overall stress level (ENSS total score), as well as scores across all analyzed subscales, were significantly higher among Lithuanian nurses (mean = 168.44, SD = 38.56), compared to Polish nurses (mean = 144.13, SD = 34.15), with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). In Lithuania, significant factors influencing stress levels included age (p = 0.049) and place of work (p = 0.026), while in Poland, gender (p = 0.034), seniority (p = 0.002), education (p = 0.01), shift work (p = 0.004), and workload (p = 0.001) were notable factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased stress among nurses in both countries impacts their well-being and patient care quality, highlighting the need for targeted psychological support and better working conditions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Nurses play a critical role in healthcare, and mitigating stress through workplace improvements can enhance both their well-being and the quality of care they provide, especially during geopolitical crises. Implementing stress management programs and providing mental health resources are crucial steps to support nurses in high-stress environments.