Objective:to identify and classify the most important occupational stressors affecting
nursing professionals in the medical units within a hospital. Method:quantitative-qualitative, descriptive and prospective study performed with Delphi
technique in the medical units of a general university hospital, with a sample of
30 nursing professionals. Results:the stressors were work overload, frequent interruptions in the accomplishment of
their tasks, night working, simultaneity of performing different tasks, not having
enough time to give emotional support to the patient or lack of time for some
patients who need it, among others. Conclusion:the most consensual stressors were ranked as work overload, frequent interruptions
in the accomplishment of their tasks, night working and, finally, simultaneity of
performing different tasks. These results can be used as a tool in the clinical
management of hospital units, aiming to improve the quality of life of nursing
professionals, organizational models and, in addition, continuous improvement in
clinical treatment.