Using A Competency-Based Approach To Identify The Management Behaviours Required To Manage Workplace Stress In Nursing: A Critical Incident Study

Using A Competency-Based Approach To Identify The Management Behaviours Required To Manage Workplace Stress In Nursing: A Critical Incident Study

Workplace stress is a significant problem in healthcare, especially within nursing. While there is a reasonable consensus regarding the sources of stress and its impact on health and well-being, little is known about the specific line manager behaviours that are associated with the effective and ineffective management of stress.
This research aims to identify the specific management behaviours associated with the effective management of stress in nursing; and to build a stress management competency framework that can be integrated and compared with nurse management frameworks.
19 competencies (or sets of behaviour) were identified in the management of stress in employees. The 3 most frequently reported competencies: managing workload and resources, individual consideration and participative approach, are discussed in detail with illustrative quotes.
Managers are vital in the reduction and management of stress at work. Importantly, the 2 of the 3 dominant competencies, managing workload and resources and individual consideration, do not feature in the UK's NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework, suggesting there are important skills gaps with regard to managing workplace stress. The implications of this approach for training and development, performance appraisal and assessment are discussed. Interventions to support managers develop effective behaviours are required to help reduce and manage stress at work.

Using A Competency-Based Approach To Identify The Management Behaviours Required To Manage Workplace Stress In Nursing: A Critical Incident Study

Date Published
Mon, 1st Mar 2010
Publisher
International Journal of Nursing Studies
Reference
Lewis, R., Yarker, J., Donaldson-Feilder, E., Flaxman, P., & Munir, F. (2010). Using a competency-based approach to identify the management behaviours required to manage workplace stress in nursing: A critical incident study. International Journal of Nurs
Website
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.07.004
Categories
Keywords
Healthcare, Stress, Competency Framework, Manager, Management Behaviours

Workplace stress is a significant problem in healthcare, especially within nursing. While there is a reasonable consensus regarding the sources of stress and its impact on health and well-being, little is known about the specific line manager behaviours that are associated with the effective and ineffective management of stress.
This research aims to identify the specific management behaviours associated with the effective management of stress in nursing; and to build a stress management competency framework that can be integrated and compared with nurse management frameworks.
19 competencies (or sets of behaviour) were identified in the management of stress in employees. The 3 most frequently reported competencies: managing workload and resources, individual consideration and participative approach, are discussed in detail with illustrative quotes.
Managers are vital in the reduction and management of stress at work. Importantly, the 2 of the 3 dominant competencies, managing workload and resources and individual consideration, do not feature in the UK's NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework, suggesting there are important skills gaps with regard to managing workplace stress. The implications of this approach for training and development, performance appraisal and assessment are discussed. Interventions to support managers develop effective behaviours are required to help reduce and manage stress at work.