Lin Perry|Scott Lamont|Scott Brunero|Robyn Gallagher|Christine Duffield
The mental health of nurses in acute teaching hospital settings: a cross-sectional survey
University of Technology Sydney|Prince of Wales Hospital|Prince of Wales Hospital|University of Sydney|University of Technology Sydney
nursing emotionally demanding profession deficiencies nurses mental wellbeing characterised low vitality common mental disorders linked low productivity absenteeism presenteeism part larger study nurses health aim paper describe mental health status related characteristics nurses working two acute metropolitan teaching hospitalsa cross sectional survey design used registered enrolled nurse workforce employed form contract two teaching hospitals sydney australia invited participate survey tool compiled validated tools questions family medical history health riskrelated characteristics current psychoactive medications smoking status alcohol intake eating disorders selfperceived general health mental health vitality demographic social occupational details collecteda total 1215 surveys distributed usable response rate 382 314 altogether 53 nurses 14 reported history mental health disorders n 49 13 listed diagnoses anxiety andor depression 22 6 currently taking psychoactive medication symptoms could potentially indicate mental health issue common 248 651 reporting experienced symptoms sometimes often last 12 month nurses better mental health better general health lived spouse partner rather alone fewer symptoms sleep problems disordered eating behaviours informal carer work nights nurses greater vitality male better general health fewer sleep problems symptoms generally lived spouse partner rather alone less vitality informal carer disordered eatingnurses managers strive create workplaces working practices promote nurses health wellbeing least configured minimise deleterious effects nurses managers aware potential negative effects mental health workforce cultures discussed openly without fear stigma denigration