Abstract: Objective To understand the work stressor of nurses in tuberculosis (TB) department and to explore positive solutions to promote mental and physical health of nursing staff. Methods  Eighty-eight nurses of TB department in Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University were selected by convenience sampling and investigated with questionnaire on work stressors. The average age, years of working and number of night shift monthly were (33.04±9.07) years, (12.70±9.04) years and (4.25±2.25) respectively. There were 8 dimensions and 61 entries in the questionnaire. Component method was used to score. One score for no pressure, two score for general pressure, three for high pressure and 4 for very high pressure. The possible score ranged 61-244, the higher the score, the more pressure on the nurse. The purpose and methods of the survey were introduced to the respondents before informed consent obtained. Ninety questionnaires were distributed and 88 valid questionnaires were reco-vered, the valid returned rate was 97.8%.  Results (1) The overall stressor score of nurses in TB department was (154.81±36.03). (2) The stressor score of each dimension from high to low was special questions on TB nursing (3.07±0.81), questions on working environment and resources (2.88±0.81), workload and time allocation questions (2.67±0.78), social and environmental questions (2.63±0.78), questions on nursing development (2.55±0.74), patient nursing questions (2.52±0.68), nursing and working questions (2.45±0.74) and management and interpersonal questions (1.89±0.64). (3) The entries scoring in the top 10 stressors were long-term exposure to bacteria excreted, drug-resistant TB patients (3.55±0.78), worrying about suffering from TB (3.47±0.88), partner was diagnosed with TB (3.36±0.89), worrying about the disinfection effect of protective facilities (3.28±0.94), worrying about an accident at work (3.21±0.95), poor working environment (3.18±0.92), crowded ward (3.02±1.07), wide income gap (2.98±0.94), heavy workload (2.97±0.94) and frequent shift (2.94±1.03).  Conclusion Nurses in TB department are under high working pressure, nursing managers should take targeted measures and guide the nurses actively respond to reduce the work pressure.

Key words: Nurse, Burnout, professional, Psychotherapy, rational-emotive