| Background: Occupational stress, and the unfavorable consequences associated with it, is
something frequently experienced by nurses. Materials and Methods: This cross‑sectional study
comparing occupational stress experienced in public and private hospitals was conducted in Iran
during 2017 and involved 203 critical care nurses. Data were obtained through a self‑administered
questionnaire and was analyzed using an independent sample t‑test. Results: The overall mean (SD)
score of occupational stress experienced by critical care nurses in public hospitals was greater than
that experienced in private hospitals; 3.65 (0.77) vs. 3.18 (0.94). This difference was statistically
significant (t = 3.77, p < 0.001). Among the five dimensions of occupational stress, the highest mean
(SD) scores in both public and private hospitals related to organizational policies, the respective
scored was 3.66 (0.94) and 3.34 (1.18). Conclusions: Hospital managers, especially those in public
hospitals, should review existing organizational policies and improve the workplace environment in
order to decrease occupational stress. |