The Effect of Work-Related Stress on Sleep Quality Among Staff Nurses in a Hospital Setting

This study examined the effect of work-related stress on sleep quality among staff nurses in a tertiary hospital. Specifically, it described the respondents' demographic characteristics, assessed work-related stress in terms of workload, shift schedule, interpersonal relationships, and emotional demands, evaluated sleep quality, and determined the relationship between work-related stress and sleep quality. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design was employed involving 60 staff nurses. Data were collected using the validated Nursing Occupational Stress Scale (NOSS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), both of which demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.903 and 0.961, respectively). Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, weighted means, and Pearson correlation analyses, were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that staff nurses experienced a high level of work-related stress (overall mean = 3.47), while their sleep quality indicated moderate sleep disturbances (overall mean = 3.18). Pearson correlation analysis showed a very weak positive relationship between work-related stress and sleep quality (r = 0.126), which was not statistically significant (p = 0.337), indicating that work-related stress was not a significant predictor of sleep quality among the respondents. The study was limited to staff nurses from a single tertiary hospital, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research should include larger and more diverse samples and examine additional factors that may influence nurses' sleep quality. Despite the absence of a significant relationship, the findings underscore the importance of promoting workplace wellness initiatives, stress management programs, adequate staffing, fatigue reduction strategies, and healthy sleep practices. This study contributes to the growing body of nursing research by providing evidence that can inform hospital administrators, nurse managers, and policymakers in developing interventions that support nurses' well-being and quality patient care.