Burnout amongst hospital nurses in Kimberley; South Africa

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was to quantify the extent of burnout and identify demographic and employment characteristics associated with burnout in Kimberley hospital nurses. Methods: During staff meetings; 194 of a population of 200 nurses completed a questionnaire; which consisted of socio-demographic details; the Maslach Burnout Inventory and an open-ended question. Results: Most of the respondents were female (94.3) and the median number of years worked was 15 years. More than half (55.2) the nurses suffered from emotional exhaustion; 33.7 from a feeling of depersonalisation and 27.5 from a sense of a lack of personal accomplishment. Only 7.3 suffered from all of the above; i.e. burnout. Nurses in the 31-40 and 41-50 year age groups were more likely to suffer from emotional exhaustion. No significant associations could be found between age; gender or marital status; and a feeling of depersonalisation or a sense of a lack of personal accomplishment. Nurses who had been in the profession longer were more likely to suffer from emotional exhaustion. The significant association between years to stay in the profession and a feeling of depersonalisation was less consistent. Conclusion: This study found that more than half the nurses were emotionally exhausted. Since a mentally and physically sound caregiver is able to render more efficient services than one who is emotionally drained and physically exhausted; the signs of burnout should be detected and addressed as early as possible