Coping strategies used by Iranian nurses to deal with burnout: a qualitative research

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although numerous studies have reported about coping strategies among health care worker throughout the world, but no research-based data are available on the perception of coping strategy among Clinical nurses in the Islamic Republic of Iran. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to describe and explore the experiences of Iranian nurses about their coping strategies. METHODS: In this study we used a qualitative research approach to explore how Iranian nurses perceive and resolve their burnout at work. Twelve nurses were selected by purposive sampling and in-depth semi structured interviews were conducted. All interviews were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim and then analyzed by means of the conventional qualitative content analysis method. RESULTS: The 5 main themes that evolved from content analysis included "religious responsibility", "approximation to God", "spiritual reward", "Holiness of the job" and "spiritual journey" emerged as the most important among these. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study emphasized that religious or spiritual beliefs give purpose and meaning to nursing interventions, help them tolerate the problems at work, and make nursing care pleasurable. Therefore, although burnout is an important issue in nursing, attending to this dimension of their job is essential and healthcare authorities should pay a special attention to it.