BackgroundStudies have shown that nurses experience higher level of stress in the work place as a result of working conditions which are demanding. The purpose of the study was to find out factors associated with occupational stress among nurses working in government clinics.MethodsA quantitative survey design was employed using quantitative methodology approach. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. 106 registered nurses working in government clinics in the greater Gaborone were selected purposively to take part in the study.ResultsThe study revealed that a higher percentage (74%) of nurses have ever experienced occupational stress. The results also revealed that females 80 percent respondents experienced stress compared to their male counterparts. The results also show that all of the respondents mentioned that they had experienced stress related to work. Respondents also mentioned that work relationship, shortage of staff, and workload contribute to stress among the nurses. On the other hand, the results of the study also found that staff welfare issues also contribute to stress among the nurses. These include lack of recognition, no personal growth, lack of support and unfriendly work environment. From the results most of the respondents indicated that there are no interventions dealing with stress in the workplace therefore the study recommends that interventions in the workplace needs to be introduced to address occupational stress among the nurse.ConclusionThe results of this study show that there were no interventions dealing with stress in the workplace therefore the study recommends that interventions in the workplace needs to be introduced to address occupational stress among the nurse. Furthermore there is a need to create wellness programs, reduce work overload and motivate staff by promotions and other means in order to increase level of job satisfaction.

The prevalence of occupational stress among nurses is an endemic problem. This study was undertaken on an academic journey to determine the current levels of occupational stress among nurses in referral hospitals in Botswana. The study used a cross-sectional design aimed at determining the prevalence of occupational stress among nurses in selected referral hospitals. The study was carried out in three referral hospitals, namely- Princess Marina hospital, Nyangabgwe referral hospital, and Sabrana psychiatric hospital. Purposive sampling was used to select the nurses as well as management with the required and relevant experiences. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to get responses from nurses and the management in referral hospitals. The data was sourced from different departments/ units in the referral hospitals. From a total of 98 study participants, 43.8 percent of nurses reported stressful irritable/angry at work. Less than one-third, 30.6% of respondents, reported that they were sometimes not able to sleep due to the fact they normally have to work in different departments/units in referral hospitals. Results from the study show that respondents are very often not coping with what they had to do and are not able to control important things (like work may be) in their lives, respectively statistically significant (p = 0.021< 0.05) and (p = 0.038 < 0.05. A significant percentage of respondents reported occupational stress that is influenced by environmental factors like working in different departments and pressure from work. Keywords- Endemic, Nurses, Occupational stress, Prevalence, Purposive sampling, Stress.

The incidence of work stress among nurses is a persistent issue. This qualitative study was carried out to examine the problems that nurses experience in providing basic health care at Botswana referral hospitals. The study was presented as a qualitative research approach. Three referral hospitals: Princess Marina Hospital, Nyangabwe Referral Hospital, and Sabrana Psychiatric Hospital were chosen for this study. Ten management officers from the three referral hospitals with the necessary and appropriate experience were purposefully sampled in order to generate the required data via questionnaires and interviews. An inductive thematic data analysis was then used, the researchers attentively examined the data to uncover common themes and patterns that appear frequently. The intended study objectives were obtained by focusing on the preceding sampled data from management officers in referral hospitals: to identify challenges faced by nurses in the delivery of basic health care services and to recommend strategies that can be used to address challenges faced by nurses in the delivery of basic health care services. The overall findings of this study emphasized three themes that developed from the interviews: the obstacles faced by nurses in the delivery of essential health care services, which are: a lack of manpower, a lack of staff and accommodation, low wages, and a terrible working environment. The researchers finished by providing a conceptual model that may be employed as an intervention technique in the workplace to help with occupational stress. Keywords: Occupational Stress, Stressors, Stress, Nurses.