Burnout, Stress, and Job Satisfaction Among Nurses: Study Reviews
This paper reviews two 2015 studies on occupational burnout, job stress, and satisfaction among nurses in specialized clinical settings. The first study, a cross-sectional survey by Hayes, Douglas, and Bonner, examined haemodialysis nurses in Australia and New Zealand, finding elevated burnout levels despite relatively positive work environment perceptions. The second study, an interpretive phenomenological investigation by Ahanchian, Meshkinyazd, and Soudmand, explored burnout experiences among psychiatric nurses in Iran, identifying both workplace and personal factors as contributors. Together, the two studies illustrate contrasting research methodologies and converge on the conclusion that targeted, multidimensional interventions are essential for reducing nurse burnout.
- Introduction: Nurse Burnout in Specialized Settings: Background on stressors driving nurse burnout
- Study One: Haemodialysis Nurses Cross-Sectional Survey: Purpose, methods, and design of haemodialysis study
- Findings of the Haemodialysis Nurse Study: Key results including burnout prevalence and correlations
- Study Two: Psychiatric Nurse Burnout Phenomenological Study: Purpose and phenomenological methods of psychiatric study
- Findings of the Psychiatric Nurse Study: Workplace and personal factors contributing to burnout
- Conclusion: Need for multidimensional burnout interventions
✍️ How to write this paper — guide, tools & examples ▾
What makes this paper effective
- The paper uses a clear parallel structure to present each study, covering purpose, methods, and findings consistently, which makes comparison straightforward.
- It accurately identifies the research design of each study (cross-sectional survey vs. interpretive phenomenological), demonstrating methodological awareness appropriate to the nursing research context.
- The summaries are concise yet substantive, capturing key variables, instruments, and conclusions without over-simplifying the source material.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates the technique of structured comparative study review, breaking each study into standardized components (problem statement, purpose, research question, methods, findings) to allow systematic analysis. This approach is common in nursing education and research methods courses, where students must demonstrate the ability to critically read and summarize empirical studies.
Structure breakdown
The paper is organized into two parallel study summaries, each following the same internal framework: problem/background, statement of purpose, research question, methods, and key findings. A brief contextual introduction precedes both summaries. The structure is methodical and format-driven, consistent with a research methods assignment at the undergraduate or early graduate level.
Introduction: Nurse Burnout in Specialized Settings
Nursing work involves activities, tasks, and processes that can be a source of significant stress. This is particularly true for nurses working in specialized clinical units. In the execution of their day-to-day duties, nurses in these settings interact with difficult patients while grappling with inadequate staffing, excessive workload, extended work schedules, short breaks, and complex interpersonal relationships with other members of the multidisciplinary team. These factors may cause job stress, eventually resulting in occupational burnout and job dissatisfaction. In some instances, burnout may lead to staff turnover and even a change of profession. The two studies reviewed below examine burnout, stress, and job satisfaction among haemodialysis and psychiatric nurses, respectively, using contrasting research methodologies.
Study One: Haemodialysis Nurses Cross-Sectional Survey
This article was authored by Hayes, Douglas, and Bonner and published in the Journal of Nursing Management in 2015. It was selected as an example of the cross-sectional survey design.
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of haemodialysis nurses in Australia and New Zealand regarding their work environment, job stress, burnout, and job satisfaction. The study also aimed to examine relationships between nurse characteristics, work environment attributes, work stress, job satisfaction, and burnout.
Research Question
Do characteristics of the individual and the work environment influence job stress, job satisfaction, and burnout in haemodialysis nurses?
Study Methods
The study took the form of a cross-sectional survey. Following approval from the Federal Board of the Renal Society of Australasia (RSA), the survey was administered online to 417 registered, full-time nurses working in haemodialysis units across Australia and New Zealand. Data were collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Nursing Stress Scale, the Index of Work Satisfaction, and the Brisbane Practice Environment Measure. The data encompassed five variables: demographic and work characteristics, work environment, job stress, job satisfaction, and burnout. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data.
Findings of the Haemodialysis Nurse Study
Although participants reported a fairly adequate level of job satisfaction and identified their work environment as positive, elevated levels of burnout were nonetheless found. The prevalence of burnout was particularly higher among younger participants and those who had a shorter working duration in the haemodialysis unit. In addition, a strong correlation was found between increased contentment with the job environment and satisfaction with work, psychological exhaustion, and work stress. Accordingly, the authors conclude that it is imperative for measures aimed at reducing burnout among haemodialysis nurses to be put in place.
Hayes, B., Douglas, C., & Bonner, A. (2015). Work environment, job satisfaction, stress and burnout among haemodialysis nurses. Journal of Nursing Management, 23, 588–598.
Study Two: Psychiatric Nurse Burnout Phenomenological Study
This study was authored by Ahanchian, Meshkinyazd, and Soudmand and published in the Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health in 2015. It was selected as an example of the interpretive phenomenological design.
Problem Statement
Burnout is a common condition among psychiatric nurses. The condition is associated with individual factors such as age, gender, marital status, work duration, and ability to cope with stress, as well as organizational factors such as role ambiguity, role conflict, work overload, understaffing, inflexible work schedules, poor compensation, and inadequate management support. For psychiatric nurses, these challenges are further compounded by interaction with violent and suicidal patients. Inattention to burnout can result in negative outcomes including depression, stress, job dissatisfaction, interpersonal difficulties, absenteeism, and diminished productivity. It may also result in family dysfunction and reduced empathy toward patients, ultimately hampering the delivery of care.
Statement of Purpose
The study aimed to gain insight into the experiences of nurses working in psychiatric wards and their perceptions about burnout.
Research Question
What are the experiences of nurses working in psychiatric wards in relation to burnout?
Study Methods
The study took the form of interpretive phenomenological research. Twelve participants (five female and seven male, aged 15–48 years) were identified via purposive sampling to take part in the study. The participants were selected from different psychiatric hospitals in Mashhad, Iran. Data were collected through in-depth, unstructured, face-to-face interviews. The interviews, which lasted 60–90 minutes each, were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Conclusion
Taken together, both studies highlight the multifaceted nature of burnout in specialized nursing environments. Whether measured through standardized survey instruments or explored through phenomenological interviews, the evidence consistently points to the need for comprehensive, context-sensitive interventions. These interventions should address organizational factors, such as staffing levels and managerial support, as well as personal and behavioral dimensions of nurses' lives, in order to meaningfully reduce burnout and sustain a healthy nursing workforce.
Create your account
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.