Burnout Among Nurses

This article discusses the issue of burnout among nurses in the nursing profession. It explores the causes and impact of burnout on nurses and patients. The article also highlights the relevance and significance of addressing burnout for improved patient outcomes.

Running head: BURNOUT IN NURSING PROFESSION 1
BURNOUT AMONG NURSES
Name of Student
Institution Affiliation

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Introduction
Background of the problem
Nursing is classified among the most challenging professions based on its complex
nature. As they go about their duties, nurses experience multiple challenges.
Nurses face issues such as short staffing, office violence, inadequate compensation,
organizational hazards, burnout and overworking. In an attempt to reduce, the operation costs or
deal with nurse’s shortage, health care organizations may require their nurses to work for long
hours through extended shifts. Long working hours in the nursing profession have been
attributed to an increase in the number of medical mistakes fatigue and sometimes-high levels of
burnout. According to a study carried out in 2012, it was found that long working hours in the
nursing profession were associated with a rise in patient dissatisfaction and nurse's burnout levels
(Gooch, 2015). The study also found nurses working for longer hours to be more two and half
more times likely to experience burnout than those working for shorter deadlines. Nurses
working for longer working hours are also more likely to experience job dissatisfaction and more
likely to leave their jobs. On the same note, a study carried out in 2014 identified nurses working
for long hours to be impaired by the inability to recover between shifts, loss of sleep and fatigue
than nurses working for shorter hours. In addition, they were more likely to report decision regret
than nurses working for shorter hours were. This, therefore, makes burnout a serious issue in the
nursing profession (Gooch, 2015).
Statement of research questions
 Why is burnout among nurses a major issue in the nursing profession?
 How do high levels of burnout affect nurses and patients?
 What are the causes of burnout among nurses?

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 In what ways do increased levels of burnout among nurses lead to poor quality of outcomes for
patients?
Relevance/significance of the proposal
Improved patient outcomes are the main area of focus in healthcare organizations. Nurses
have a responsibility to ensure the satisfaction and safety of their patients by carrying out their
responsibilities appropriately. Increased levels of burnout have been found to reduce the
efficiency of nurses hence hampering their ability to improve the outcomes of their patients and
increase rates of satisfaction.
Conceptual framework
This study will have a descriptive conceptual framework. Descriptive research will
describe the various variables relevant to this study.Data for the research will be collected from
various sources after which it will be analyzed to draw conclusions.
Literature review
The burnout concept in the nursing profession
Burnout among nurses is a problem faced by Nurses world over. Burnout does not only
affect nurses but also the patients that they care for. Various studies have established a link
between increased rates of burnout among nurses and increased cases of patient's infections
within the clinical setting. In addition, hospitals with high levels of burnout have been found to
have more numbers of dissatisfied patients. Nursing burnout is, therefore, an issue that has a
widespread impact on not only nurses but also their patients and other individuals seeking care in
various hospitals. Recent statistics of a study carried out in among 2000 nurses in the USA found
15.6% of those sampled to have experienced burnout. Out of the nurses who reported to have
experienced burnout, 50% percent indicated that they did not intend to leave their jobs. For this

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reason resolution of factors leading to burnout among the nursing workforce, need to be an area
of focus (Brusie, 2019).
A psychologist from Germany named Herbert Freudenberger while explaining his
experience with substance users first used the term burnout in 1974. In his coinage of the term
burnout, Herbert used the term to explain the consequences of high ideals and exceeding levels
of stress in helping professionals to cope. Since its coinage in the 1970s, the term has been used
in hundreds of scientific studies (Heinemann & Heinemann, 2017). Harkin and Melby, (2014)
described burnout to be a consequence of the constructs of depersonalization, reduced levels of
personal accomplishment and emotional exhaustion. Research by Van Mol, Kompanje, Benoit,
Bakker & Nijkamp (2015) identified a close linkage between burnout among nurses and
compassion fatigue especially among nurses working in the intensive care units. Compassion
fatigue is the stress experienced by nurses while witnessing and acting upon patients with
extreme levels of suffering. Therefore, the preference of burnout among nurses may lead to cases
of compassion fatigue
A study by Irish medical times in 2018 identified long working shifts of nurses to be one
of the major causes of burnout in the nursing profession. Additionally, the findings from the
research identified increased job dissatisfaction and turnover in the nursing profession as some of
the consequences of burnout. Burnout and high levels of dissatisfaction among nurses may
negatively affect the quality of healthcare as well as the wellbeing and health of nurses (Irish
Medical Times, 2018). A research in some countries in Europe identified 12-hour shifts as a one
of the issues responsible for burnout in the nursing profession (Ring, 2015). However, nurses
identified understaffing and increased workloads as the major contributing factor to increased
cases of burnout. According to the results from the study, 17% of those sampled were found to

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suffer from reduced individual accomplishments, 27% from mental exhaustion and 10% from
depersonalization (Ring, 2015). A survey by RN Network in 2017 indicated that the shortage of
nurses has been the cause of the current gap between supply and demand of qualified nurses,
which subjects nurses to more work than they can handle. The impact of this trend has been
intent by some to leave their profession because of reasons such as too much paperwork, being
overworked and lack of job satisfaction (Writers,2019).
According to Harkin and Melby (2014), the levels of burnouts experienced by nurses
differ with age and experience. In their study, the two found out that recent graduate nurses had
elevated burnout levels as compared to older more experienced nurses. This argument is also
supported by Hatch, Freude, Martus, Rose, Müller & Potter (2018).In their study, they identified
a link between high levels of burnout among recent graduate nurses with the first shock of job
realities. On the contrary, older nurses were found to have developed tolerance to high levels of
burnout after several years’ exposure. Therefore, for recent graduates, early exposure to the
realities of their jobs makes them experience burnout. This is however different for older nurses
who are said to have a higher tolerance to burnout causes. The study also established that low
levels of burnout among more experienced nurses were because of professional title,
mechanisms of coping, self-control and know-how (Hatch, Freude, Martus, Rose, Müller &
Potter,2018).
Causes and impact of burnout among nurses
(Li, Cheng and Zhu, 2018) found out that nurses developed burnout after being exposed
to stress levels beyond their coping abilities. In addition, the two linked stress to lengthy
exposure to psychological and emotional stress. Although burnout is a major issue in the nursing
profession, it can be more severe for the emergency department nurses largely because of the

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nature of their jobs, which involves attending to terminally ill, and patients with extreme medical
conditions. Part of their responsibilities also includes operating in environments characterized by
trauma and anxiety in both day and night shifts. For the more hard-working nurses, burnout
levels could be even higher because of their commitment to their professional duties (Li, Cheng,
and Zhu, 2018).
There are multiple negative outcomes linked to burnout in the nursing profession. Some
of the most common consequences include absenteeism, high levels of turnover, attrition,
alcohol and drug abuse, musculoskeletal disorders, job dissatisfaction, and occupational injuries.
Likewise, intense levels of burnout can also make nurses less productive and unable to achieve
personal accomplishments (Li, Cheng, and Zhu, 2018).
A study published in 2014 established a linkage between burnout and safety for both
patients and nurses. In the study, it was found out that safety concerns arise due to impaired
cognitive function, lack of motivation or energy. In addition, high levels of burnout were found
to lead to a decline in attention to detail and compromised memory and attention. Burnout among
nurses also leads to an increase in safety lapses, diminished cognitive function, and vigilance.
Other negative consequences of burnout include poor decision-making, poor communication and
lack of investment in nurse-patient interaction. Because nurses experiencing burnout become
detached from their work, they stand a higher chance of making errors, which is likely to affect
patient’s outcomes. Finally, burnout may impair nurses from dealing with technically demanding
and demanding situations within their work environments (Lyndon, 2016).
Research design and methodology
The research will take the form of qualitative research design. The research design refers
to the overall strategy chosen by the researcher to integrate the different components of a study

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in a logical and coherent way to ensure that the research problem is effectively addressed. The
research design includes the blueprint for the analysis, measurement, and collection of data.
(Labaree, 2017).Qualitative research refers to a scientific method used to gather non-numerical
data to seek mathematical justification for a research hypothesis. Qualitative approaches are used
in research to describe situations and life experiences in order to give them meaning. In addition,
researchers use qualitative research methods to dive deeper into the problem and discover trends
in opinions and thoughts. Qualitative approaches are used by researchers with the aim of
exploring human perspectives, experiences, and behavior to enhance understanding of the
concepts (Labaree, 2017).
Sampling size and research population
The sample size used in research does not have an impact on the quality and importance
of the study. The sample of the research to be used in the study may vary depending on the
number of nurses who will take part in the study. For this study, therefore, sampling will
continue until saturation is achieved (Palinkas, Horwitz, Green, Wisdom, Duan & Hoagwood,
2015).
Sampling technique
I intend to use the probability-sampling method in the research. Sampling method
assumes that every member of the sample has a probability of being sampled. Sampling will be
divided into systematic and random sampling (Palinkas et al., 2015).
Systematic sampling
In this method, members of the population to be sampled will be chosen randomly ensuring
that every chosen member has a chance of being selected to participate in the study.
Random sampling

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Under this method of sampling, a sample will be chosen randomly from the total
population as an unbiased sample of the population. For the chosen sample, each member of the
subset will have an equal opportunity of being chosen during the sampling process. For example,
if a sample of 5 nurses will be selected from a given healthcare organization each of the 5 will
have an equal opportunity of being chosen as part of the sampling process(Palinkas et al.,2015).
The two sampling methods will be used in the study depending on their effectiveness in
the research
Data collection methods
Researchers use a variance of semi-structured and unstructured techniques. Commonly
used techniques include observations, participation, individual interviews, focus group
discussions and interviews (Guerra-Santin & Tweed, 2015).
Interviews
Interviews are some of the most commonly used methods of collecting qualitative data.
The uses of interviews ill ensure that qualitative data is collected directly from the sources. The
use of interviews ensures the collection of correct information directly from the source. As a
researcher, I will have to identify the right persons from where to collect the information on the
issue of burnout among nurses. These could be individual nurses, employers or patients who
have been affected by the issue (Zhang, Kuchinke, Woud, Velten & Margraf, 2017).
Questionnaires
Questionnaires are also commonly used to collect primary data. I will make use of close-
ended questions, open-ended questions and a mixture of both. However, I will need to ensure
that the questions used are reliable and valid. Questionnaires will be used for the research

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population who are easily accessible to minimize the possible cost of the research (Afolayan &
Oniyinde, 2019).
Ethical considerations
Autonomy
The research participants will voluntarily and willingly give their consent to take part in
the research to ensure that their autonomy is protected. Autonomy will ensure that the rights of
anonymous individuals willing to take part in the research are protected. It will also ensure that
the protection of participant’s integrity (Khan, 2016).
No Harm
It will also be important to ensure that the participants in the research are not harmed. As
a researcher, I will do all it takes to prevent and minimize potential harm on patients. I will also
seek to balance the benefits of the research with the involved risks through an assessment of the
potential risks(Khan, 2016).
Respect to privacy
I will also seek to ensure that the right to privacy of the participants is not violated. I will
do this by ensuring that the research participants determine the extent, time and circumstances in
which their private information will be shared(Khan, 2016).
Conclusion
In conclusion, burnout in the nursing profession is a major issue that needs to be urgently
addressed. High levels of burnout may have a wide range of effects on both the welfare and
health of nurses. It has also been linked to a decline in patient’s safety and increased patient
dissatisfaction. This proposal lays a foundation for research on burnout in the nursing profession.
The issue is quite relevant in the nursing profession because of its increasing prevalence as well

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as its overall impact on nurses and patients healthcare outcomes. burnout among nurses leads to
medical errors, the shift of focus from improved outcomes for patients, high levels of turnover
and increased dissatisfaction on both patients and nurses workforce. This research will seek to
explain what causes burnout among nurses, explain what the impact of burnout is on both
patients and the nursing workforce and establish the link between increased levels of burnout and
poor quality of services within the clinical setting. The sampling techniques that will be used to
collect data include random sampling and systematic sampling techniques to minimize any
possible biases. Additionally, data will be collected through interviews and questionnaires. Some
of the ethical considerations to be considered include ensuring voluntary participation in the
study, safeguarding the privacy and anonymity of participants where need be
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