BACKGROUND: Although there is a growing interest in the consequences of work-related stress among healthcare professionals, most of the research has concentrated on western countries. Empirical studies of work related stress among health care workers from the Middle East have rarely been performed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify causes of post-traumatic stress symptoms and their relationship with daily work stress exposure. This qualitative study was undertaken using hermeneutic phenomenology and involved a representative group of 25 nurses from Jordan. RESULTS: Work related stress symptoms were associated with poor social support. The findings stress the necessity for staff to support each other, for supervisors to support and counsel their staff and also for the management to promote and encourage support. Jordanian nurses are seriously at risk from high levels of stress symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will enable nurses to better identify and handle stressful situations in the early stages and in a timely fashion. It will help administrators, teachers and researchers to plan strategies (interventions) in the hospitals, curriculum and in knowledge needed to promote the quality of life for nurses.