Coping strategies for nurse managers exposed to workplace stress

Nurse managers are part of the healthcare workforce that interacts with the complex healthcare environment that exposes them to workplace stressors. It is necessary for nurse mangers to develop coping strategies that enable them to withstand the workplace stressors and hence cultivate an environment that facilitates provision of quality nursing care. This paper explores the coping strategies used by nurse managers exposed to workplace stressors. The paper reports data generated through a qualitative exploratory inquiry exploring coping strategies used by nurse managers exposed to workplace stressors. Data was collected through written narratives, and thematic analysis was used to identify themes. The results depicted various coping strategies that nurse managers utilised to cope with workplace stress. Four themes emerged from the analysis of data, which were: Engagement with management, peers, and supervisees; Social support and Teamwork; Development of leadership skills: and Resource mobilization. The coping strategies were found to protect nurse managers from the negative impact of stress and created a positive demeanour that facilitates provision of quality services. The study revealed that nurse managers are capable of developing coping strategies that enable them to withstand workplace stressors.