Work-related stress levels among nurses in Organ Procurement Organizations

Authors

Keywords:

Nursing, Occupational Health, Burnout, Professional, Stress, Physiological, Tissue and Organ Procurement

Abstract

Objective: To assess levels of occupational stress among nurses working in Organ Procurement Organizations in Brazil.

Method: A cross-sectional, quantitative study with data collected between March and May 2025 via an electronic platform using the Job Stress Scale, which includes the dimensions of psychological demand, control over work, and social support. Analysis used descriptive statistics, with scores dichotomized and categorized into four quadrants: high burnout, passive work, active work, and low burnout. Associations with social support, years of training, and age were examined.

Results: Forty-eight nurses participated; 15 (31%) were categorized as low burnout, 13 (27%) as active work, 11 (23%) as high burnout, and nine (19%) as passive work. Low social support was observed among the most vulnerable groups.

Conclusion: Despite their autonomy and technical competence, nurses are exposed to unfavorable psychosocial conditions, indicating a need for institutional strategies that balance demands and control, valuing social support as a protective factor for mental health and essential to the success of organ donation.

Author Biographies

Paola Costanzo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Nurse. Graduated in Nursing from the Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Sibele Maria Schuantes Paim, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Nurse. Master's degree in Nursing. Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Bartira Aguiar Roza, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Professor at the Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Patricia Treviso, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Nurse. Post-Doctorate in Nursing. Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Janine Schirmer, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Director at the Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

References

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Published

2026-09-16

How to Cite

Costanzo, P., Paim, S. M. S., Roza, B. A., Treviso, P., & Schirmer, J. (2026). Work-related stress levels among nurses in Organ Procurement Organizations. Cogitare Enfermagem, 31. Retrieved from https://revistas.ufpr.br/cogitare/article/view/101930

Issue

Vol. 31 (2026)

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Paola Costanzo, Sibele Maria Schuantes Paim, Bartira Aguiar Roza, Patricia Treviso, Janine Schirmer

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