Job‐Related Stressors and Quality‐Of‐Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Across Nurses' Career Stages: A Multicenter Cross‐Sectional Study
Hind Ismail Ali, Safaa Moustafa Mohamed Abdeen, Hanaa Sayed EwiseABSTRACT
Aim
To assess job‐related stressors among nurses across different career stages and examine their relationships with quality‐of‐life enjoyment and satisfaction.
Design
A multicenter, descriptive‐correlational, cross‐sectional research design.
Methods
This study was conducted in nine hospitals were geographically distributed across different sectors of the Sohag governorate 1 August to 30 September 2025. The study participants included 277 nurses at different career stages. Data were collected using: General Information Questionnaire, the Work Stress Assessment Questionnaire, and the Quality‐of‐Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form.
Results
Job‐related stress was relatively high, with Reward identified as the prominent stressor, while Quality‐of‐life enjoyment and satisfaction was generally low. Significant differences in stress and quality of life were observed across age groups, nursing roles, and career stages mainly at during the establishment stage, followed by the exploration stage, whereas gender and marital status showed no significant differences. A strong negative correlation was found between job‐related stress and quality‐of‐life enjoyment and satisfaction.
Conclusion
Nurses experienced different job‐related stressors across their career stages particularly for early‐ and mid‐stages. Also, their level of quality‐of‐life enjoyment and satisfaction enhanced across career stage. This is highlighting the association of job‐related stress on nurses' quality‐of‐life enjoyment and satisfaction and the need for targeted interventions.
Implications for Nursing
Nurse managers should implement career‐stage‐specific stress management, mentoring, and well‐being programs to enhance nurses' enjoyment and satisfaction and job retention.
Implications for Health Policy
Healthcare policies should prioritize psychologically healthy work environments, adequate staff empowerment and recognition, and career development initiatives that reduce occupational stress and promote nurses' well‐being.