THE IMPACT OF DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON RATES OF NURSING BURNOUT

Background: The burnout phenomenon is a complex and multidimensional reality and also a common metaphor for a state of extreme psychophysical exhaustion that is usually related to work.
Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate nursing burnout in 371 registered nurses at both governmental and private hospitals in Shiraz, Iran.
Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated nursing burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Independent sample T-test and one-way analysis of variance were performed to determine the association between demographic factors, the nurses’ working environment, and nurse burnout.
Results: The results of this study showed that nurses in internal medicine wards, at staff positions, and on rotating shifts in governmental hospitals have a high rate of total burnout (P<0.05). In contrast, nurses with less than five years of work experience have a high rate of reduced personal accomplishment (P<0.05). Also, nurses with 6 - 15 years of work experience reported the highest incidence of emotional exhaustion (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Burnout is associated with some specific demographic and environmental features. To reduce and prevent burnout, nursing leadership should focus on personal accomplishments in nurses with little work experience, especially for nurses in internal medicine wards, on rotating shifts, and on staff wards. In addition, policy makers at higher levels should also consider nursing burnout in governmental hospitals.