Introduction
Background and significance of the problem
Nursing burnout is a serious issue affecting the nursing profession. High levels of burnout leads to issues like low job satisfaction, increased absenteeism and turnover. This negatively impacts the quality of patient care.
Statement of purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between nursing burnout and its impact on the quality of patient care. Specifically, this study aims to determine if higher levels of burnout experienced by nurses leads to poorer patient outcomes and lower patient satisfaction.
Research question
What is the relationship between levels of burnout experienced by nurses and indicators of quality of patient care such as patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, and nurse sensitivity?
Literature Review
Defining nursing burnout
Nursing burnout refers to a psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who work in human service fields like nursing (Maslach & Jackson, 1986). It occurs when job stress takes its emotional toll.
Causes and indicators of nursing burnout
– Workload and staffing issues. High patient ratios and heavy workloads are linked to burnout (Aiken et al., 2002).
– Lack of support. Perceived lack of support from colleagues and management predicts burnout (Brunetto et al., 2013).
– Demanding relationships. Emotional demands of caring for patients and dealing with difficult patient/family situations is draining (Vahey et al., 2004).
– Organizational traits. Aspects like lack of autonomy, poor communication, lack of recognition increase burnout (Leiter & Maslach, 1988).
– Indicators are emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment (Maslach Burnout Inventory)
Impact of burnout on nurses and patient care
– Absenteeism and intent to leave. Burnout leads to increased absenteeism and more nurses want to leave their jobs (McHugh et al., 2011).
– Medical errors. Burnout impairs attention, increases distractions leading to more errors (West et al., 2006).
-Patient satisfaction. Burnout negatively impacts compassion for patients, sensitivity to their needs reducing satisfaction (Vahey et al., 2004).
– Patient outcomes. Higher burnout is linked to higher patient mortality and failure to rescue rates (Aiken et al., 2002).
Theoretical Framework
Job Demands-Resources Model by Demerouti et al. (2001)
– High job demands and lack of job resources lead to burnout which then impacts individual and organizational outcomes.
– Job demands like large workload and emotionally demanding interactions with patients consume energ. Job resources like social support, autonomy, feedback help recover energy.
– Burnout mediates the relationship between demands-resources with negative outcomes.
Methodology
Research Design
– Correlational, cross-sectional design used to examine relationships between variables.
– No manipulation of independent variables. Naturally occurring levels of burnout examined in relation to dependent variables.
Sample and Setting
– Convenience sample of 150 RN nurses from medical-surgical units of a large hospital.
– Inclusion criteria: Full time RNs above 1 year of experience. Exclusion: specialty units.
Instruments
– Maslach Burnout Inventory (1981) to measure levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment.
– Press Ganey patient satisfaction surveys for past quarter.
– Patient outcomes – Length of stay, readmission rates obtained from electronic records.
– Demographic questionnaire.
Data Collection Procedure
– IRB approval obtained from hospital. RNs approached, consent taken, questionnaires administered.
– Scores coded without identifiers, entered into SPSS for analysis.
Data Analysis
– Descriptive analysis of sample characteristics.
– Pearson’s correlations to examine relationships between burnout scores and outcome variables.
– Regression analysis if correlations are significant to examine predictive ability while controlling other variables.
Conclusion
Restate purpose and research question.
Summary of key findings from literature review and main points of methodology.
Anticipate results and what they could mean for nursing practice and research. Discuss limitations and implications.