| Abstract | Intensive care units are perceived as a highly stressful environment for nurses. In this study, the Stress Audit Questionnaire which examines stress under seven categories, was used to identify stressors as perceived by Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses in Hong Kong. 80 ICU nurses from four hospitals in Hong Kong were asked to rank order the stressors in the Questionnaire. The result suggests that categories of 'promotion and rewards', 'knowledge and skills of ICU nursing', 'management of the ward' as well as 'patient care' were identified as the areas with greatest stress. The item 'inadequate staffing' was ranked as the most stressful factor. Implications for management, policies making and education of ICU nurses are discussed. |
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