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Objective: To investigate the impact of workplace factors on psychological distress in New Zealand registered nurses. Background: Nurses are often faced with challenging work environments, with long work hours, high patient ratios, and emotionally charged situations that cause stress. Despite the well-established links between the nurse work environment and well-being, there remains a gap in the literature around the role of workplace factors on psychological distress in nurses. Study design and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with registered nurses in New Zealand. Depression, anxiety, and stress were self-reported using the DASS-21, while difficult practice environments and negative workplace acts were self-reported using PES-NWI and NAQ-R. Descriptive and inferential statistics were undertaken using SPSS. STROBE guidelines were used to report the study. Results: 480 RNs completed the survey. On average, depression, anxiety, and stress scores were 6.08 (SD=7.06, Normal), 4.87 (SD=6.05, Normal), and 9.50 (SD=7.30, Normal), respectively. The Average PESNWI score was 2.70 (SD=0.54), while the average total NAQ-R score was 34.27 (SD=12.67). Depression, anxiety, and stress scores were positively associated with NAQ-R scores, and negatively associated with PES-NWI scores (p-values <0.05). PES-NWI score was negatively associated with NAQ-R score (p<0.05). PES-NWI and NAQ-R explained 28.8%, 15.6%, and 26.1% of the variation in depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly associated with intention to leave (p-values <0.05). Depression and anxiety were significantly associated with ethnicity (p-values <0.05). Age was negatively associated with anxiety and stress (p-values <0.05). Years employed as a nurse were also negatively associated with anxiety (p<0.05). Discussion: This study addresses a knowledge gap by demonstrating that workplace factors are associated with psychological distress in nurses. Conclusion: Psychological distress in nurses is significantly associated with the work environment and with intention to leave the profession. Given that most countries are facing nurse shortages and are actively recruiting nurses from diverse countries and ethnic backgrounds, targeted and individualised support needs to be provided to preserve nurses' mental health and subsequent retention in the workforce. Implications for research, policy, and practice: Healthcare providers must prioritise modifying the work environment to address the factors contributing to nurses' psychological distress. This includes providing culturally tailored mental health resources and support for nurses with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Future research should examine how organisational-level strategies can reduce psychological distress in nurses. What is already known about the topic? * Psychological distress is common in nurses. * Indicators of psychological distress include non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. * Psychological distress is associated with challenging working conditions. What this paper adds: * Vulnerable groups, such as nurses from specific ethnic backgrounds and less experience, report higher levels of psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression. * The quality of the practice environment is associated with psychological distress in registered nurses. * Negative acts in the workplace (i.e., bullying and harassment) are positively associated with psychological distress in registered nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses and midwives working in acute care settings, specifically psychological distress, self-reported concerns, and perceived impact on their work and personal lives. Background: Little is known about the psychosocial impact of the pandemic on nurses and midwives in Australia, a country with a substantially lower number of COVID-19 cases and deaths than many others. Few studies investigating the prevalence of psychological distress among nurses during the pandemic have been conducted in more than one setting, especially in the Australian context. Study design and methods: Cross-sectional survey design (STROBE checklist). Nurses and midwives (n=1,611) at four metropolitan tertiary health services in Melbourne, Australia completed an anonymous online survey between 15 May and 31 August 2020, which assessed symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress (DASS-21); concerns related to COVID-19; and other effects of COVID-19. Space was provided for free-text comments. Results: Approximately one fifth of respondents reported moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Fewer years of clinical experience were significantly associated with higher levels of psychological distress. More than half of the respondents were extremely/very concerned about passing COVID-19 on to family members and about their family's health, and almost half were concerned about caring for a patient who had confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Respondents reported that certain precautionary measures such as personal protective equipment (PPE) interfered with their ability to provide optimal patient care. Positive aspects of the pandemic were also reported including a sense of togetherness and cooperation among staff. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on the psychological wellbeing and work and personal lives of nurses and midwives working in acute care settings in Melbourne, Australia, particularly those with less clinical experience. Implications for nursing and health services research, policy and practice: Nurses and midwives, particularly those with less clinical experience, would benefit from additional, targeted wellbeing and support initiatives. For those with less experience, initiatives could include being partnered with more experienced colleagues and educators who can provide practical and emotional support and monitor their stress levels. What is already known about the topic? * Nurses and midwives have experienced more psychological distress than other healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. * Most studies about the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses and midwives have been conducted in a single health service. * Few studies have concurrently investigated the experiences of nurses and midwives from different health services during the COVID-19 pandemic especially in the Australian context. What this paper adds * Despite the relatively low number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Australia, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on the psychological wellbeing and work and personal lives of Australian nurses and midwives. * About one in five of the nurses and midwives surveyed reported moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress during the first wave of the pandemic. * Nurses and midwives with fewer years of clinical experience experienced higher levels of psychological distress than those with more experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The main aim of this study was to explore any association between colorectal cancer (CRC) and rotating shift work in nurses and midwives. The secondary aim of this study was to identify risk factors for CRC in nurses and midwives who are rotating shift workers. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Electronic survey of participants from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Subjects A sample of 8,199 male and female nurses and midwives from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom invited through their registration papers or newsletter advertisement. Main outcome measure Prevalence of CRC in participants who have worked rotating shifts for 1-14 years or ≥15 years compared to participants who have never worked rotating shifts. In addition, risk factors for CRC in the rotating shift work population were analysed in a multivariate logistic regression model in order to obtain odds ratio of CRC. Results No statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence of CRC between those who have never worked rotating shift work, worked 1-14 years and worked 15 or more years. Among rotating shift workers, diabetes was associated with a 123-fold (95% CI 39-392; p<0.001) increased odds of CRC, while Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) was associated with a 190-fold (95%CI 68-526; p<0.001) increased odds of CRC. Screening colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy for CRC was associated with a 10-fold (95% CI 3-35; p<0.001) increased odds of being diagnosed with CRC. Conclusion No significant association was found between rotating shift work and colorectal cancer in nurses and midwives. In nurses and midwives who are rotating shift workers, diabetes, IBD and CRC screening significantly increased the odds of CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]