Work-related stress is the physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, needs or professional practice of the nurse. The study therefore investigated work-related stress and coping strategies among Nurses in selected Tertiary Hospitals in Lagos State. This study specifically identified the work-related stressors among nurses; examined the effect of work-related stress on professional practice among nurses; and determined coping strategies required to manage work-related stress on professional practice among nurses. A descriptive survey research design was chosen to carry out the research. The population included all professional nurses working at the two selected tertiary hospitals in Lagos State (NOHIL and FMC). Sample size of 185 nurses was selected from National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi Lagos and also 132 nurses from Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-meta Lagos respectively using a convenient sampling technique. A questionnaire was designed to collect data on the factors influencing work-related stress on professional practice among nurses. Face and content validity of instruments were determined by research experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was ascertained using Cronbach alpha reliability test and reliability coefficient was calculated to be 0.727. Three research questions were answered through descriptive. The results showed that highest work-related stressor nurses are mostly exposed to was nature of nursing work stressor (ẍ = 3.22). The level of impact of work-related stress on professional practice among nurses was high representing 55.6%. The level of perceived coping strategies required to manage work-related stress on professional practice among nurses was high. It was recommended among others that hospital management should organise regular in-service training on the management of work-related stress for nurse clinicians, to continually update their knowledge and necessary coping strategies required to manage stress.

Keywords: Coping Strategies, Nurses, Work Related Stress,

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