Factors associated with work-related stress among nurses at hospital X in South Tangerang City

Background: Work stress among healthcare workers can lead to serious consequences such as decreased service quality, increased medical errors, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and a higher risk of burnout. Nurses, as frontline providers, are especially vulnerable due to frequent exposure to stressful situations like patient deaths, conflicts with doctors, and interactions with patients or their families. This study aimed to assess the level of work stress and its associated risk factors among nurses at Hospital X, a type C hospital in South Tangerang City. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using total sampling involving all nurses at Hospital X. Data collected included demographic and professional characteristics (gender, marital status, education level, years of service, and work unit). The Extended Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS) was used to measure stress levels. Results: A total of 70 nurses participated. Most nurses in the emergency ward and inpatient units experienced high levels of work stress, while those in outpatient units showed milder stress. Statistical analysis indicated that educational level, years of service, and work unit had significant associations with work stress levels (p<0.05). Gender and marital status were not significantly related. Conclusion: Nurses in high-pressure units are more likely to experience severe work stress. Factors such as education, service duration, and placement are significantly related to stress levels. Identifying these risk factors is essential for implementing targeted interventions to maintain nurse well-being and healthcare service quality.