Abstract:
Intensive Care Unit/ICU nurses are susceptible with stress related to job demands in ICU. Coping
mechanism is used by nurses in dealing stressors. It was a unique phenomenon which can be
learned. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the nurses’ experiences in work
related stress and the coping mechanism occupied. Design of this study was hermeneutic
phenomenology. The data collection methods were obtained through depth interview, observation
and field notes. The number of participant in this study after data saturation was 10 ICU nurses
through Arifin Achmad through purposive sampling. Coping mechanism experiences were analyzed
with Van manen’s approach (1990) which it classified 4 live world become corporeality,
relationality, spatiality and temporality. The finding of study had 4 thematic categories reflected
corporeality (lived body). They were self-awareness of work’s duty, self-confidence of completing
duty, self-capacity of problem solving through spiritual approach and self-diversion. Four thematic
categories were reflected in relationality. They were collegial and social support to problem solving,
positive attitude toward health team member, knowing patient’s nature and needs, and negative
attitude to others. Two thematic categories were reflected in spatiality. They were working
environment as a learning place, creating comfort working atmosphere. Two thematic categories
were reflected in temporality. They were long time to resolve stress and using time for refreshing.
In addition, this study also found 4 themes of work stress such as causes, symptom, timing, and
impact of work stress. According to this findings, this study recommend to nurse administrator to
create strategies to reduce stress and also improving self capacity for nurses
