The Effectiveness of a Time Management Workshop on Job Stress of Nurses Working in Emergency Departments: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: One of the main risk factors for poor health is a high level of job stress. Time management skills can greatly reduce job stress. The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a one-time management training workshop on job stress among nurses working in emergency departments.

Methods: This randomized experimental study was carried out with 80 nurses working in emergency departments affiliated with a university of medical sciences. The intervention was an 8-hour workshop on time management. Pre- and posttest data were collected by demographic questionnaire and an occupational stress inventory before and 1 month after intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive, chi-square, t test, Fisher exact, and analysis of covariance statistics.

Results: The mean of job stress in the intervention group increased after the intervention (186.22, SD = 22.97) from baseline (182.52, SD = 34.39) compared with the mean of job stress in the control group (204.42, SD = 22.42) and (204.35, SD = 22.45). The control group had a significantly higher job stress score before the intervention (t = -3.37, P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and control group in job stress scores after intervention (t = -3.56, P = 0.77).

Discussion: The time management skills training program did not reduce the moderate-high levels of job stress of nurses in emergency departments. Addressing other sources of job stress, besides time management, is needed.

Keywords: Emergency wards; Job stress; Nurses; Time management.