Burnout in Nursing Education
What is Burnout?
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Burnout results from chronic stress
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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
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Characterized by feeling depleted of energy and the inability to recover from this state
2. Depersonalization
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An impersonal or disengaged attitude toward work, or education
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May involving blaming others for increased stress, venting, and speaking negatively about patients, staff members, students or educators​
3. Ineffectiveness
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Diminished feelings of personal achievement
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Doubting the quality and impact of an individual's work
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Typically arises from exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and a lack of recognition
Causes + Contributing Factors of Burnout in Nursing Education
Institutional
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Increased educational demands (course assignments, clinical reports, examinations, and clinical practices)
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Dissatisfaction with curriculum, teaching style, learning environments, and interpersonal relationships with educators and peers.
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Time stress, work overload, and clinical staffing shortages
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Low levels of organizational support
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Incivility from nursing staff and clinical instructors.
Individual
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Decreased capacity for self-regulation
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Poor sleeping habits
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Individuals with low emotional intelligence
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Higher levels of perceived stress
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Pre-existing mental health issues
Effects of Burnout on Nursing Students
Institutional
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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.
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Safety concerns in student clinical scenarios by increased medical errors and decreased quality of patient care
Individual
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Impaired mental health, psychological well-being, and occupational preparedness.
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Reduced academic, work performance, and future clinical performance
