Abstract
This qualitative, explorative study identified work-related stressors and coping mechanisms of registered nurses (RNs) within a hospital setting. A sample of 10 RNs was interviewed about work-related stressors and observed under normal working conditions. RNs identified stress related to failure to meet patients' needs, self-expectations, workload, and inexperienced colleagues. Staff development implications include education of clinical nurses and administrators in identifying systems barriers to providing patient care, interventional staffing, stress debriefing, patient assessment, and active coping.