Nurse Coping Strategies in Dealing with Work Stress During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Job stress is a serious health problem, both in terms of its high incidence and impact. Work stress is widely reported to occur in health workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Work stress in the nursing profession is one of the problems that occur during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nurses need coping strategies as a way to control themselves against the stressors they face during the Covid-19 pandemic. Coping strategies used can help nurses in reducing anxiety and other psychological impacts. The purpose of this study was to determine the use of effective coping strategies used by nurses in dealing with work stress during the Covid-19 pandemic at Sele Be Solu BLUD Hospital, Sorong City. This research design uses a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. The sample in this study amounted to 12 respondents for the Matahari room and also Bougenville as a Covid-19 isolation room. The method of collecting data in this study used FGD (focus group discussion), interviews, and field notes. This research was conducted in June-July. The results of this study found three themes, namely 1) Seeking support: A place to share problems, Help solving problems, 2) Spiritual Coping: Getting closer to God, Making positive meanings, 3) Self-control: Understanding conditions, and Controlling emotions. Nurses in hospitals in caring for Covid-19 patients use different coping strategies to deal with work stress, ranging from problem-focused coping to emotional-focused coping. But in this study, respondents used more problem focused coping. Suggestions from researchers for health workers, especially nurses in order to choose effective coping strategies in solving work stress

Keyword: Coping Strategies, Work Stress, and Covid-19