Occupational Stress and Its Effects on Job Performance Among Nurses in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Occupational stress among nurses is a growing concern with direct implications for patient safety and workforce retention in Nigerian tertiary hospitals. This study examined the sources, levels, and effects of occupational stress on job performance among nurses at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, and data were collected from 200 registered nurses using the Expanded Nursing Stress Scale and a job performance rating tool. Results showed that 67.5 percent of respondents experienced high levels of occupational stress, primarily attributed to excessive workload, inadequate staffing, poor management support, and frequent night shifts. High stress levels were significantly associated with reduced job performance scores across cognitive, emotional, and procedural dimensions. Burnout indicators, including emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, were prevalent among 54 percent of respondents. Younger nurses and those with fewer than five years of experience reported higher vulnerability to stress-related performance decline. This study emphasizes the systemic nature of nursing stress in tertiary healthcare and calls for institutional reforms including workforce expansion, structured mental health support services, and flexible scheduling policies. It further recommends routine occupational stress assessments as part of nursing management protocols. Addressing these challenges is critical for sustaining healthcare quality and nurse wellbeing in South South Nigeria. Keywords: occupational stress, nursing performance, burnout, healthcare workers, Port Harcourt.