“Negative Energy Magnetic Field”: A Descriptive Qualitative Study on Occupational Stressors among Chinese Hospice Nurses

Abstract

Object. To explore occupational stressors among Chinese hospice nurses. Methods. A descriptive qualitative approach was used. We conducted semistructured interviews with 30 hospice nurses from 14 cities in China between August 2023 and February 2024. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting. Results. Hospice nurses perceived themselves as immersed in a persistent “negative energy magnetic field,” emphasizing the pervasive stress they experienced in their work. There are four different levels of occupational stressors among Chinese hospice nurses: (1) individual-level stressors such as difficulty in managing physical symptoms, dealing with futile resuscitations, and struggling with emotional boundaries; (2) organizational-level stressors encompassing insufficient financial support and human resources, negative leadership behaviors, and conflicting philosophies in healthcare; (3) societal-level stressors involving challenges such as avoidance of conversations about death, pragmatism, and implicit communication modes; and (4) acute stressors including patient suicide and sudden patient death. Conclusions. Diverse occupational stressors faced by hospice nurses are greatly influenced by culture. Future research should thoroughly examine these stressors at various levels and consider the cultural impacts on the stress experienced by hospice care nurses within a broader context.