Burnout in Nursing Education

What is Burnout?

Burnout results from chronic stress
Burnout is a psychological response to recurrent and emotionally demanding experiences

Research has shown a growing trend in burnout among nursing students, who struggle to
cope with stress in academic and clinical environments. One study
demonstrated that “30% of undergraduate nursing students had symptoms of burnout syndrome, with 97.8% at a moderate risk for developing burnout.”

Three Dimensions of Burnout

1. Exhaustion

A state of extreme tiredness
Characterized by feeling depleted of energy and the inability to recover from this state

2. Depersonalization

An impersonal or disengaged attitude toward work, or education
May involving blaming others for increased stress, venting, and speaking negatively about patients, staff members, students or educators

3. Ineffectiveness

Diminished feelings of personal achievement
Doubting the quality and impact of an individual's work
Typically arises from exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and a lack of recognition

Causes + Contributing Factors of Burnout in Nursing Education

Institutional

Increased educational demands (course assignments, clinical reports, examinations, and clinical practices)
Dissatisfaction with curriculum, teaching style, learning environments, and interpersonal relationships with educators and peers.
Time stress, work overload, and clinical staffing shortages
Low levels of organizational support
Incivility from nursing staff and clinical instructors.

Individual

Decreased capacity for self-regulation
Poor sleeping habits
Individuals with low emotional intelligence
Higher levels of perceived stress
Pre-existing mental health issues

Effects of Burnout on Nursing Students

Institutional

Burnout from nursing education and careers contributes to nursing shortages and workforce attrition, with many students either leaving their program before graduation or quitting their job within a year of graduation.
Safety concerns in student clinical scenarios by increased medical errors and decreased quality of patient care

Individual

Impaired mental health, psychological well-being, and occupational preparedness.
Reduced academic, work performance, and future clinical performance

Burnout also serves as a contributing fact in predicting symptoms of Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Stress Disorders

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