Veterinary nurses' psychological well‐being: The impact of patient suffering and death

Abstract

Objective: Preliminary evidence suggests veterinary nurses are an at-risk population for high levels of occupational stress. This study sought to advance knowledge of occupational stress in this under-researched professional group by applying the Job Demands-Resources model to assess predictors of psychological strain, work-related burnout, and work engagement. Method: Research participants consisted of 144 veterinary nurses employed within one Australian state (response rate of 41%). Data were obtained via an anonymous self-report questionnaire. All research participation was voluntary. Results: Analyses indicated the mean level of work-related burnout in this sample exceeded that of normative samples in human health-care professions. We also found that although both generic and occupation-specific job demands were significantly associated with levels of psychological strain and burnout, generic job demands accounted for a greater proportion of variance. Only direct effects were produced for the association of both workplace social support and job control with work engagement; no evidence was found for the moderating effects of these two job resources. Conclusions: The findings both validate and challenge the tenets of the Job DemandsResources explanation of occupation stress. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed. What is already known about this topic:• Preliminary evidence suggests that veterinary nurses are an at-risk population for high levels of occupational stress. • Emerging research directly comparing generic and specific job demands on stress-related outcomes has demonstrated that specific demands explain a greater proportion of variance. • Previous research suggests that euthanasia duties are a critical occupation-specific stressor impacting on the psychological well-being of these personnel. What this topic adds:• Findings indicate that high levels of psychological burnout are prevalent throughout this profession. • Both generic and occupation-specific job demands are important for stress-related outcomes, but generic job demands accounted for a greater proportion of variance. • The lack of association between euthanasia of animals with a good prognosis and stress-related outcomes suggest that it may be the overall frequency of euthanasia that is the most salient aspect of this stressor rather than the context in which it occurs.Occupational stress research rarely includes assessments of work demands centred on dealing with death, despite this being an extreme stressor and for some occupations a common experience. Although the deleterious effects of routine exposure to the death of patients on the psychological well-being of human health-care professionals has been recognised (Halbesleben, 2008), for veterinary health-care professionals the impact of such exposure-including the unique responsibility of euthanising patients for whom they have been providing care-is less well established. Research

Impact of dealing with bereaved clients on the psychological wellbeing of veterinarians

“…Frequency of euthanasia demonstrated no significant relationship to psychological distress or compassion fatigue, contrary to other findings in veterinarians and veterinary nurses . Performing euthanasia has been linked to higher work stress and lower job satisfaction not only in veterinarians but also animal care workers from other animal related industries whose role involves performing euthanasia .…”

Veterinary Technicians and Occupational Burnout

“…Perhaps it is not surprising, given the technicians' job duties, that preliminary studies indicate that veterinary technicians are also at high risk for occupational stress and burnout (30,40). One study found factors predictive of increased burnout for technicians include work load, job demands, exposure to euthanasia and contact with clients (34).…”

“…The current study was designed to identify factors that may improve veterinary technicians' work experience by mitigating burnout. As noted above, very little research has examined the extent to which veterinary technicians' work is intellectually fulfilling and rewarding or how they apply and acquire a variety of skills that they can use in complex problem solving (30).…”

“…Schedule control refers to the flexibility and autonomy technicians have in regards to their work schedules. Having a sense of autonomy (decision latitude) is a widely recognized resource that is positively related to well-being (16,30). Using skills and knowledge contributes to a sense of accomplishment, personal growth and engagement.…”

Occupational stress and the importance of self-care and resilience: focus on veterinary nursing

“…Although there has been little research carried out regarding occupational stress in the veterinary nursing profession, available evidence suggests that there are veterinary nurses working in the profession who regard their role as stressful [ 3 , 4 ]. Whilst occupational stress is not a unique concept relating to members of the human or animal health care sectors, there are unique occupational stressors, such as euthanasia, which members of the animal health care sector are exposed to in comparison to other health care professions, and non-health care workers [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ].…”