5.2.3. Individual Coping Strategies
This theme encompassed four subcategories: thinking positively; enhancing one’s private life; separating private
life from work; and identifying individual effective strategies. Stress-related emotions differed between the novice
and experienced nurse managers, and coping strategies differed depending on the nurse manager’s experience.
One novice nurse manager (with less than four years of experience) consulted other nurse managers as her
coping strategy. Another eleven participants (who had more than four years of experience) spoke of coping
strategies such as maintaining enriched relationships with their families, taking private time, and completely
shifting from work to private life. Participants’ comments included the following:
“I would say that the first thing to do for stress coping is to talk with other nurse managers.” (a novice nurse
manager)
“I have been in this position for seven years, and I have had a lot to learn. I am always trying not to think
about my work when I am off duty and to give my attention to other areas such as my family.” (an experienced
nurse manager)