Tehran University of Medical Sciences Nursing Practice Today 2383-1154 10 3 2023 08 09 198 207 Zacharenia Dimitriadou AHEPA University General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece Petros Kostagiolas Department of Archives, Library Science and Museum Studies, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece Georgios Kritsotakis Department of Business Administration and Tourism, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Crete, Greece Nikos Rikos Department of Nursing, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Crete, Greece Areti Stavropoulou Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece Michael Rovithis Department of Business Administration and Tourism, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Crete, Greece 2023 03 15 2023 08 06 Background & Aim: Nursing staff are exposed to high levels of stress daily due to the demanding work environment. This study aimed to examine nursing staff occupational stress and coping mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic.‎ Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional study with a sample of 108 nursing staff was carried out. The Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS), the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE) Scale, and constructed questions were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using chi-square (χ2), Pearson methods, and Multiple linear regression analysis. Statistical significance was determined at p-value ≤ 0.05. Results:  Overall Occupational stress was assessed with a mean score of 146.8 (SD±35.3). In Brief COPE Scale higher mean was assessed for “social support - information seeking” and lower for “substance use” or “withdrawal” (p<0.001). A significant difference in response distributions was observed regarding their degree of concern or fear about COVID-19 (p<0.01). Increased levels of Overall Occupational Stress (ENSS) were associated with higher levels of BCOPE. Emotional Focus and Venting and Diffusion of Emotions (β=5.15, p=0.026), younger age of the participants (β=-5.78, p=0.033), years of working in the healthcare sector (β=14.46, p=0.004) or the highest fear/concern about being infected and infecting their patients (β=6.22, p=0.032). Conclusion: Nursing staff experienced moderate levels of occupational stress, while challenges raised by the pandemic were handled through seeking social support, positive reframing and acceptance, taking protective measures, and turning to religion. Developing meaningful administrative and educational strategies for staff empowerment and resilience may reduce anxiety and occupational stress for nurses. https://npt.tums.ac.ir/index.php/npt/article/view/2427 https://npt.tums.ac.ir/index.php/npt/article/download/2427/579