Job-Related Stressors Among Nurses During Different Career Stages and Their Relation to Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction

Background With the high demand for effectiveness and efficiency of health service delivery, nursing staff are placed under a high responsibility to ensure the quality of care. Nurses progress through various career stages, each with distinct stressors that can disturb their lives. This study aimed to assess job-related stressors among nurses across different career stages and their relationships with quality-of-life enjoyment and satisfaction. Methods A descriptive correlational research design was adopted to conduct this study at governmental hospitals in Sohag city from August 2025 to September 2025. Study participants were 277 nurses at different career stages. The data was collected by using three tools: a personal characteristics sheet, Work Stress Assessment Questionnaire (WSAQ), and Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF). Results Based on the participants' responses, the results revealed that the highest percentage of participants were distressed with a low level of life satisfaction and enjoyment during the establishment stage, followed by the exploration stage. Also, there was a significant negative correlation between quality-of-life enjoyment and satisfaction and job-related stressors. Conclusion Overall, the findings emphasize that career-related variables are more predictive of stress and well-being outcomes than demographic characteristics. It is important for health managers to control the sources of work-related stressors, especially for early and mid-career stages, where nurses are more vulnerable to stress and reduced well-being, by effective stress management interventions, and create a friendly work environment to improve nurses’ quality of life.