The Effect of Burnout on Undergraduate Nursing Students

Publication Date

2024

College

College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Department

Public Health, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

SPARK Category

Research

Faculty Advisor

Christian Williams

SPARK Session

10:15-11:45

Presentation Type

Poster

Summary

Introduction: Nurses play a critical role in healthcare, providing essential support to patients when they are most vulnerable. However, the nursing workforce has faced a significant decline in recent years. A 2022 analysis published in Health Affairs found the total supply of RNs decreased by more than 100,000 nurses since 2020, marking the largest decline in 40 years (Auerbach D, et al. 2022). A report from the International Council of Nurses (ICN) published in 2023 called the worldwide shortage of nurses “a global health emergency” (Buchan J, et al. 2023). Notably, many of the nurses leaving the profession are under the age of 35.

Methods: [CW1] A 2024 cross-sectional survey assessed the prevalence and impact of burnout on undergraduate nursing students at Belmont University. Participants were recruited through social media and by emailing nursing professorsRhe study utilizes the Maslach Burnout Inventory Student Survey (1981), a validated 15-question instrument designed to measure burnout.

Results: The findings indicate that undergraduate nursing students experience significant levels of burnout, particularly in the domain of emotional exhaustion. The "exhaustion" category received the highest number of “strongly agree” responses, highlighting this as a key area of concern. However, participants generally did not express high levels of cynicism about their studies and reported positive perceptions of their personal efficacy.

Discussion: Burnout among nursing students is a pressing issue that could have long-term implications for the healthcare system. If burnout contributes to high turnover rates and decreased workforce retention, patient care and overall healthcare operations will be significantly affected

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