Situational Anxiety Levels and the Intensive Care Unit Staff Nurse

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between adequate and inadequate staffing and state anxiety levels in intensive care nurses. It was hypothesized that the state anxiety levels of staff nurses working in intensive care units is higher when staffing is inadequate than when staffing is adequate. Spielberger's State-A Anxiety Inventory was administered to 32 nurses in six intensive care settings; 17 nurses were in adequate and 15 nurses were in inadequate staffing situations. The analysis of the data showed the hypothesis to be supported. Demographic data were collected on age, basic nursing education, length of time in the area where tested, and the shift working when tested. The demographic data were not statistically analyzed but are presented.