Introduction

Numerous health problems, including depression, are related to experiencing chronic stress. Stress-inducing factors in nurses’ job comprise, among others, constant contact with pain, death of a patient, or despair of the family.

Aim of the research

The assessment of nurses’ health in the context of depressive disorders.

Material and methods

The study included 147 nurses working in a shift-work system. The Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9, and a questionnaire developed by the authors were used. The study was conducted from January to February 2015.

Results

Slight exacerbation of depressive symptoms was proven in 41.81% of nurses, moderate exacerbation in 17.68%, and moderate to severe in 4.76%. A significant relationship between the occurrence of depressive disorders and an existing serious disease in the family and economic migration was found (p < 0.05). Nurses recognised the following events related to the job performed as most frequently contributing to depressed mood: long-term mental and physical load (27.15%), and lingering long-lasting stress (24.05%). 83.67% of respondents postulated their willingness to use a psychologist’s/psychotherapist’s help in difficult situations.

Conclusions

Depressive symptoms of various intensity concerned almost two-thirds of the nurses. Nearly one-fifth of the nurses assumed that negative emotional states disturb nurse-patient and nurse-co-worker relations. It was evident that there is a substantial need to create the possibility for nurses to use a psychologist’s support in difficult work situations.