Occupational Stress and Performance of Nurses in Mulago National Referral Hospital
Abstract
The study focused on establishing the effect of occupational stress on the performance of nurses
at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Occupational stress was the independent variable whereas
nurses’ performance was the dependent variable. It was guided by two objectives: To find out the
effect of nurses’ working environment on their performance at Mulago National Referral
Hospital; and, to assess the effort-reward imbalance affects nurses’ performance at Mulago
National Referral Hospital. The study was carried out at Mulago National Referral Hospital
Kampala covering a period of four (4) financials years—2013 to 2016. The study used a
descriptive cross-sectional research design. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were
used. The study involved 188 nurses, 10 MoH officials (198) and sampled 159 nurses and 10
MoH officials (169). It was revealed that working conditions at MNRH have a significant effect
on nurses’ performance. Study findings also established that motivating nurses enhances their
output and performance in which incentives are given to them including though not limited to
allowances, days off, gifts, etc. It was recommended that hospital managers at MNRH should
ensure appropriate documentation of the causes as well as sources of occupational stress in the
hospital setting which might be affecting healthcare professionals at an interval to generate an
archive of related stress factors that may impede their performance. Also, it was recommended
that there should be provisions to ensure allocation of functioning and preferably new equipment
to assist nurses in executing their duties. Improving working conditions in the health systems
requires utmost attention in order to tap the best potential of health workers. Working conditions
including though not limited to accommodation, adequate supplies, functional equipment in
place, transport means, etc. should be priority in order to reduce stress among nurses. There is
need to monitor and evaluate the effort and input of nurses in their operations so as to assess the
appropriate way to appreciate them. It was therefore concluded that occupation stress among
nurses has been found to be an impeding factor to their levels of performance with the
manifestations of heavy workloads, working beyond schedule due to the limited constrained
number of health workers to serve the national population at MNRH. An affirmation that
motivating nurses can enhance their performance was made this implies that if incentives were
provided to health workers, they significantly improve performance in their designated roles and
responsibilities.