The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Group Intervention on the Stress Levels of New Graduate Nurses

Abstract

Abstract Background & Aim: New graduate nurses bear high levels of stress which could lead to unpleasant personal and professional outcomes. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group intervention on the stress levels of new graduate nurses. Material & Methods: It was a quasi-experimental pretest -posttest study with control group. A total of 80 new graduate nurses were first recruited by purposeful sampling and then were randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups (n=40). Eight, 90 minutes sessions of cognitive behavioral group intervention was performed for the experimental group two times a week. Control group received no intervention. The data was collected before and after the intervention by “Expanded Nursing Stress Scale” and analyzed by inferential statistics such as chi-square and independent T test using SPSS- PC (v. 20). Results: The findings showed that the mean score of stress level has reduced significantly after the intervention (from 44/44 to 29/44) (p<0/001). No significant reduction was found in the stress levels of control group (p=0/276). There was also a significant difference between the mean score of stress levels of the two groups after intervention (p<0/001). Conclusion: According to the findings cognitive behavioral group intervention can reduce the stress levels of new graduate nurses. Therefore, using this intervention in the beginning of new graduate nurses’ work is suggested.

Keywords

• cognitive behavior therapy
• stress
• licensed practical nurses