Abstract: Objective To investigate job stress and coping styles in nurses working in hemodiaysis units in Fujian Province in order to provide bases for effectively improving stress status in these nurses. Methods Questionnaires about demographic information, Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) were sent to 280 nurses working in hemodialysis units in 28 hospitals in Fujian Province, and 271 effective questionnaires were recycled (effective recovery rate 96.8%). Results The highest score about the origin of job stress was the higher work load (3.351±0.559) in nurses working in hemodialysis units in Fujian Province. The impacts of night shift situation (β=0.227, P=0.001), monthly income (β=-0.217, P=0.002) and age (β=0.212, P=0.003) on job stress were also statisitcally significant. Job stress was positively correlated to the negative coping styles (r=0.129, P=0.049), especially the stress was originated from management and interpersonal relationships when the tendency to adopt negative coping style increased (r=0.161, P= 0.014). Conclusion Higher job stress was commonly present in nurses working in hemodialysis units. Night shift situation, monthly income and age were also related to the job stress. Better management and personall relationships can help the nurses to cope with the job stress.

Key words: Nurse, Hemodialysis Unit, Stress, Adaptation