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Stress among palliative care matrons: a major problem for a minority group

The occupational welfare of senior nurses in palliative care has been ignored for too long, despite the importance of their role. Findings from nearly 100 nurses in charge of palliative care units in the UK indicate there is considerable scope for managerial action. Matrons reported a lack of managerial support, uncertainties about responsibility, staff and resource shortages, bringing about change, conflict between competing demands and a sense of isolation as common and potent sources of stress. These staff also commonly encounter overwork, frustration and lack of recognition. It would be a strategic error to assign the levels of anxiety and pressure reported by these matrons to the 'weakness' of the individual, to their own lack of managerial experience or to certain personality traits. Whilst the level of job satisfaction is high, complacency about the well-being of these nurses cannot be justified.