The relationships among the occupational burnout, physiological and psychological health, and intent to leave

Abstract

Background: A shortage of nurses exists in the Taiwanese health care system. Further understanding and finding solutions for intent to leave of nurses is urgent. However, studies examining the relationships among occupational burnout, health problems, and intent to leave are limited. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships among occupational burnout, physiological and psychological health, and intent to leave of Taiwanese nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using self-administrated questionnaires on 430 nurses working in five regional hospitals in northern Taiwan was conducted. Nurses’ occupational burnout was measured by the 21-item Occupational Burnout Inventory (OBI) with 5-point Likert scale for responses. Health status of nurses was measured by the 17-item Physical and Mental Wellness Inventory (PMWI) with 4-point Likert scale for responses. Nurses’ intent to leave was measured by 4 items with 5-point Likert Scale. Of the returned 424 surveys (responses rate 98.60%), 421 valid were subjected to analysis. Results: Scores on the four OBI subscales ranged from 48.97 for client-related burnout to 63.03 for personal burnout, with a mean score of 55.01 (SD = 18.85). Standardized scores on the two PMWI subscales ranged from 46.33 for physiological health problem to 47.85 for psychological health problem, with a mean score of 47.08 (SD = 22.04). The Standardized score of intent to leave was 43.86 (SD = 20.22). Occupational burnout was statistically significant with health problem (r = .70, p < 0.001) and intent to leave (r = .41, p < 0.001). Health problem was statistically significant with intent to leave (r = .47, p < 0.001). Independent t-test results revealed that nurses with high intent to leave reported significantly higher health problem (p < 0.001) and occupational burnout (p < 0.001) as compared with nurses with low intent to leave. Discussion: Nursing administrators should pay attention to nurses’ occupational burnout and health status to stabilize the nursing workforce. Conclusion: High levels of occupational burnout and health problems could increase nurses’ intent to leave.