Stress levels of psychiatric nursing staff

Abstract

During a total of 30 shifts, the arousal levels of 10 psychiatric nurses were assessed while working on a (forensic) psychiatric admissions ward. Arousal was assessed by means of a small device (wristband) by which the Skin Conductance Level (SCL) of the participating nurses was monitored. Each nurse was assessed during a full day, evening, and night shift. In the distribution of the SCL over the hours of the day, several elevations of the arousal levels were clearly visible during specific events. Additionally, an association was found between the neuroticism level of the staff members and their arousal level during their work.