Veterinary nurses' psychological well‐being: The impact of patient suffering and death

Abstract

Objective Preliminary evidence suggests veterinary nurses are an at‐risk population for high levels of occupational stress. This study sought to advance knowledge of occupational stress in this under‐researched professional group by applying the Job Demands–Resources model to assess predictors of psychological strain, work‐related burnout, and work engagement. Method Research participants consisted of 144 veterinary nurses employed within one Australian state (response rate of 41%). Data were obtained via an anonymous self‐report questionnaire. All research participation was voluntary. Results Analyses indicated the mean level of work‐related burnout in this sample exceeded that of normative samples in human health‐care professions. We also found that although both generic and occupation‐specific job demands were significantly associated with levels of psychological strain and burnout, generic job demands accounted for a greater proportion of variance. Only direct effects were produced for the association of both workplace social support and job control with work engagement; no evidence was found for the moderating effects of these two job resources. Conclusions The findings both validate and challenge the tenets of the Job Demands–Resources explanation of occupation stress. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.

Keywords

• job demands–resources
• occupational stress
• psychological strain
• veterinary nurses
• work engagement
• work‐related burnout