The effects of technology on stress and coping strategies in nurse educators

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among the independent variables of age, gender, years of experience as a nurse educator, and previous technology training, and the dependent variables of feeling compelled to respond to students after hours, level of stress experienced by nurse educators with technology (in general), and level of stress experienced by nurse educators with technology in the classroom/clinical setting. The researcher also investigated the coping strategies demonstrated by these nurse educators. The target population was defined as master’s prepared nurse educators in a nursing program who utilize technology while teaching a nursing theory or clinical course. Of the thirty-six inquiries sent, twenty-two subjects participated in the voluntary survey, resulting in a 61% response rate. Overall, the independent variables were found to not be significantly associated with the measure of the dependent variable of overwhelming feelings of stress or anxiety related to technology. For the measure of the dependent variable of “feeling compelled to answer emails/texts after hours”, age was the only significant predictor. It is now ever more important for nursing faculty to engage in life-long learning in informatics. Deans need to support IT initiatives, and ensure that all faculty members have competency in computer literacy during the interview process.