Bangjun Wang Xiaoying Zhong ^*

• Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China

Background: China's birth rate continues to decline, reaching only 6.39% in 2023. In light of this trend, hospitals may need to reassess their allocation of resources, including funding, staffing, and facilities. Nurses may face job insecurity and uncertainty regarding their roles, prompting some to consider transitioning to different specialties. This study aims to investigate the levels of occupational stress among nurses in the context of low fertility in China in 2023 and to identify the related factors contributing to this stress. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 270 nurses working in hospitals, In addition to demographic information, the Nurse Job Stressors Scale (NJSS) and the family APGAR index were utilized for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation and multiple linear regression analysis. For continuous variables, the mean, standard deviation (SD), median, and inter-quartile range were reported, while counts and percentages were used for categorical variables. The independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance were employed for uni-variate analysis. Multiple linear regression was utilized for multivariate analysis. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.: The participants' average scores for NJSS and Family APGAR Index were 1.76±0.58 and 6.35±3.30 points, respectively. And workload and time pressure rated highest among sub-scales of NJSS. the top 5 job stressors of nurse are Q3 (Wages and other benefits are low), Q1 (The social status of nursing is too low), Q5 (Frequent shift work), Q12 (Too much useless paperwork), and Q16 (Fear of mistakes and accidents at work). The score of the family APGAR index demonstrated negative correlations with occupational stress (r=-0.19, P<0.001). The results of the multiple linear regressions analysis showed that a high level of worried about losing one's job and worse scores of Family APGAR pertained to higher scores of NJSS. Conclusions: Nurses experienced a moderate level of occupational stress within the context of low fertility in China. Key predictors of occupational stress among nurses include concerns about job security and the classification of Family APGAR. Implementing fair compensation and providing more effective family-oriented support programs are essential for reducing occupational stress among nurses.