During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses have faced significant challenges and heavy workloads as healthcare workers⁽¹⁾. These conditions can lead to work-related stress among nurse practitioners working in hospitals, ultimately affecting the quantity and quality of services provided. Furthermore, work-related stress can have a significant impact on the health of individuals, communities, organizations, and even the national economy^(2,3). Research conducted in several countries, including Sweden, Thailand, and Indonesia, has revealed high prevalence rates of work-related stress, reaching 24.5 %, 26.2%, and 30%, respectively^(4,5,6). Consequently, addressing the issue of work-related stress among nurse practitioners in hospitals becomes a matter of serious concern.

Work-related stress among nursing refers to the physical, emotional, and psychological strain experienced by nurses as a result of their work environment and job demands⁽⁷⁾. Betty Neuman revealed her thoughts in the Neuman System model, stating that nurses naturally have a relationship with stress, response, and reconstitution factors in their lives⁽⁸⁾. High levels of work-related stress among nurses can compromise the quality of patient care⁽⁹⁾. Fatigue, decreased concentration, and emotional exhaustion can impact nurses’ ability to provide safe and effective care, potentially leading to medical errors and adverse patient outcomes⁽¹⁰⁾. Nurses play a vital role in promoting and protecting public health. Their involvement extends beyond direct patient care to areas such as health education, disease prevention, and community health promotion⁽¹¹⁾. However, when nurses experience work-related stress, their capacity to engage in these public health activities may be diminished, thereby impacting population health outcomes^(7,12).

Previous studies have mentioned that demographic factors⁽¹³⁾, work environment, management and policies⁽¹⁴⁾, motivation, and the number of patients⁽¹⁵⁾ are contributed to work-related stress among practitioner nurses. This is concerning because high stress levels can lead to physical and mental health complications, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, anxiety, depression, and fatigue⁽¹⁶⁾. However, studies in Indonesia that specifically focus on exploring work-related stress among nurse practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic are still limited⁽¹⁷⁾ and we found different results from previous studies⁽¹⁸⁾. Additionally, we pointed on age, marital status, and workload of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the research we conducted, it can provide knowledge and information suggesting that considering personal factors such as marital status can help reduce work-related stress, improve the quality of life for nurses, and have a positive impact on the quality of services provided.

The current study evaluates the contributing factors of work-related stress among nurse practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Out of the 101 nurse practitioners, we observed that 20 (19.8%) experienced low levels of work-related stress, 58 (57.4%) experienced moderate levels, and 23 (22.8%) experienced high levels. The demographic analysis revealed that the majority of respondents were over 35 years old, female, and had at least 5 years of nursing experience. In terms of education, most of them held a Bachelor of Nursing degree and were married. More than half of the respondents reported having a moderate workload. Furthermore, the chi-square analysis results indicated a significant relationship between all variables and work-related stress (p value < 0.001) (Table 1). Subsequently, an ordinal logistic regression analysis was conducted (Table 2).

Table 2 shows that age and workload are identified as protective factors, while marital status is identified as a risk factor for work-related stress among nurse practitioners. Nurses aged over 35 years have a 0.173 times lower likelihood of experiencing work-related stress compared to their younger counterparts (AOR: 0.173; 95% CI: 0.038-0.782). Furthermore, nurses with mild and moderate workloads exhibit a decreased likelihood of experiencing work-related stress compared to those with high workloads (AOR: 0.003; 95% CI: 0.000-0.051) and (AOR: 0.025; 95% CI: 0.005-0.116), respectively. Conversely, married nurses have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing work-related stress, with 7,156 times greater odds compared to unmarried nurses (AOR: 7,156; 95% CI: 1,456-35,163). Gender, years of service, and education level variables do not demonstrate a significant relationship.

From this study, it is known that age, marital status, and workload contribute significantly to work-related stress in nurse practitioners in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this section, we discussed these factors and their relationship with work-related stress.

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented burden on healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, leading to heightened levels of work-related stress^(22,23). In our study, we discovered that more than half of the total respondents experienced a moderate level of work-related stress. The unique demands imposed by the pandemic, such as increased patient loads, resource shortages, and heightened exposure to the virus, have significantly contributed to the overwhelming stress experienced by nurses⁽²⁴⁾. The constant fear of contracting the virus, witnessing the suffering and death of patients, and enduring long working hours have had a profound impact on their mental and emotional well-being⁽²⁵⁾. The consequences of work-related stress among nurses during the pandemic are multifaceted and can adversely affect patient care, job satisfaction, and overall healthcare outcomes⁽²⁶⁾. Recognizing the significant challenges faced by nurses and implementing effective strategies to mitigate work-related stress are crucial for promoting their well-being and ensuring optimal healthcare delivery during these demanding times.

This study found that nurses aged over 35 years were less likely to experience work-related stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests that with age, nurses may have developed better coping mechanisms and gained more experience in managing stress, allowing them to handle pandemic challenges more effectively. Aligns with the theory of age and coping, which posits that individuals tend to develop improved coping mechanisms and strategies as they age⁽²⁷⁾. With years of experience in the nursing profession, older nurses may have acquired a repertoire of effective coping strategies, such as problem-solving skills through teamwork, health management, and patient care^(28,29,30). These coping mechanisms enable them to navigate the challenging and demanding nature of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic more effectively. Additionally, older nurses may have developed a greater sense of resilience, adapting to stressful situations, and maintaining a positive outlook^(31,32). In line with the previous studies highlighting the potential benefits of age and experience in mitigating stress levels in healthcare professionals^(33,34). However, further investigation is needed to better understand the underlying factors contributing to this phenomenon and to develop targeted interventions to support younger nurses who may be more susceptible to work-related stress.

We observed that married nurses had a higher likelihood of experiencing work-related stress. One plausible explanation could be the additional responsibilities and commitments that come with being married, such as managing household chores, taking care of children, and maintaining a work-life balance^(35,36). These added responsibilities may increase the overall stress levels experienced by married nurses, as they navigate the demands of both their personal and professional lives. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented strain on individuals and families, potentially exacerbating the stress experienced by married nurses⁽³⁷⁾. Moreover, the pandemic has disrupted daily routines and increased the burden on individuals, including married nurses, who may have to juggle multiple roles and responsibilities simultaneously⁽²⁾. Additionally, the fear of potentially exposing family members to the virus due to their work as healthcare professionals can contribute to heightened stress levels among married nurses⁽³⁸⁾. The importance of providing targeted support and resources to help married nurses manage their work-life balance, enhance their well-being, and reduce work-related stress during the COVID-19 pandemic should be implemented.

Nurses with a mild to moderate workload had a lower likelihood of experiencing work-related stress. This finding suggests that maintaining a balanced workload, neither overwhelming nor underwhelming, may contribute to reducing stress levels among nurses. A mild to moderate workload allows nurses to effectively manage their tasks and responsibilities without becoming over-whelmed⁽³⁹⁾, ensuring they have adequate time and energy to cope with the challenges posed by the pandemic⁽⁴⁰⁾. This finding emphasizes the importance of workload management strategies in healthcare settings, such as appropriate staffing levels, task delegation, and efficient scheduling, to help mitigate work-related stress among nurse practitioners during COVID-19 pandemic^(41,42). By ensuring workload remains within manageable limits, healthcare organizations can promote the well-being of their nursing staff and enhance the quality of patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study revealed that age, marital status, and workloads were significant factors contributing to work-related stress among nurse practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings provide valuable insights that can inform the development of policies aimed at preventing and addressing work-related stress among nurses in the hospital. By addressing these factors, the quality and quantity of nursing services can be enhanced, enabling nurses to deliver optimal care to patients, particularly those affected by COVID-19. Implementing strategies to alleviate work-related stress can positively impact the well-being of nurses and ultimately improve patient outcomes.