OUTCOMES OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESSORS ON NURSES - CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME-RELATED SYMPTOMS

Considering the types and number of occupational stressors involved in caring for patients, nurses may represent a population at high risk f or physical illnesses. A sample of 3400 nurses who belong to a statewi de or a national nurses organization were randomly chosen for particip ation Of this group, 202 reported 6 months or more of debilitating fat igue and completed a three-page questionnaire assessing symptoms relat ed to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and comorbid medical conditions. This group (N = 202) was mailed a follow-up questionnaire 1 year later that reassessed symptoms of CFS and occupational stressors. Many samp led nurses reported a high degree of occupationally related stress but did not report CFS symptoms; however, perceived exposure to the threa t of an accident as a nurse and poor physical working conditions were significantly related to symptoms reported. These findings are consist ent with previous research.