Significant Role of Psychological and Financial Issues Among Female Staff Nurses in Government and Private Medical Colleges: An Observational Study

Background: Nursing is a demanding profession that significantly impacts the mental and financial well-being of staff, particularly female nurses who face unique challenges balancing professional and personal responsibilities.Objective: To evaluate psychological and financial issues among female staff nurses working in government medical colleges (GMC) and private medical colleges (PMC) in Lahore.Methods: This observational descriptive study was conducted from October 12, 2023, to April 25, 2024, at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital. A total of 130 female staff nurses were randomly selected from government and private medical colleges. Data on psychological issues (anxiety, stress, depression) and financial difficulties were collected through structured questionnaires validated by experts. The analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive and inferential statistics to explore relationships between socio-demographic characteristics and the reported issues.Results: In government medical colleges, 43.1% of nurses experienced anxiety, 47.7% experienced stress, and 18.5% experienced depression. In private medical colleges, the rates were 66.2%, 76.9%, and 30.8%, respectively. Financial difficulties were reported by 32.3% of nurses in government and 38.5% in private colleges.Conclusion: Psychological issues, particularly anxiety and stress, are more prevalent among nurses in private medical colleges. Targeted interventions are needed to address these challenges.