Professional Burnout and Concurrent Health Complaints in Neonatal Nursing.

Nida Žemaitienė,Kastytis Šmigelskas,Rasa Tamelienė,Natalija Skorobogatova

doi:10.1515/med-2017-0047

Nida Žemaitienė, Kastytis Šmigelskas + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1515/med-2017-0047

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze nurses’ professional burnout and health complaints and the relationship between the two components.MethodsThe anonymous survey included 94 neonatal intensive care nurses from two centers of perinatology. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) was used to evaluate professional burnout; it consisted of 3 components, Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishments, with 22 items in total. Health complaints were evaluated by 21 items, where nurses were asked to report the occurrence of symptoms within the last year. Scale means were presented with standard deviations (SD). Inferential analysis was conducted with multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for age, residence, and work experience.ResultsThe mean score of professional burnout on the Emotional Exhaustion subscale was 14.4 (SD=7.91), Depersonalization 3.8 (SD=4.75), and Personal Accomplishment 29.1 (SD=10.12). The health assessment revealed that sleeplessness, lack of rest, nervousness, and tiredness were the most common complaints. The regression analysis revealed that tiredness was independently associated with significantly increased odds of professional burnout (OR=4.1).ConclusionsIn our study, more than half of the nurses in neonatal intensive care had moderate or high levels of emotional exhaustion, while levels of depersonalization were significantly lower. In contrast, the level of personal accomplishment was low in more than half of the nurses. The most common health complaints were sleep disturbances, nervousness, and tiredness. Tiredness was most strongly associated with professional burnout.

Highlights

Researchers have been paying more attention to professional burnout as a common phenomenon in nursing
The regression analysis revealed that tiredness was independently associated with significantly increased odds of professional burnout (OR=4.1)
Moderate emotional exhaustion was common in 41.5% and high in 9.6% of neonatal nurses (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Researchers have been paying more attention to professional burnout as a common phenomenon in nursing. They have investigated the syndrome as such, and related factors and predictors [1,2]. Nursing in neonatal intensive care is specific, in that these nurses regularly face vulnerable group of patients and their relatives [3]. Parents of a newborn may have unrealistic expectations for the nurse and be a cause of stress [4]. The nurses working in intensive care units feel much tension; they have to complete many tasks in a short time, while simultaneously receiving and comprehending much information. Sorlie et al indicate that the lack of time could lead to a guilty conscience, as well as tiredness and even burnout [5]

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