An examination of nurse role overload and burnout during COVID-19 pandemic: A quantitative correlation study

ABSTRACT

Nurses manage and treat a number of different patient ailments, while providing support to all clinical and administrative staff. COVID-19 pandemic intensified demands on the role of nurses. Caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic led to role overload and burnout due to the overwhelming patient population, lack of resources, increased responsibilities, and lower staff census. Nurse burnout has been linked to decreased quality of care, patient safety, and patient satisfaction. The purpose of the quantitative correlational study was to assess the relationship between nurses' perceived role overload and burnout, specifically occupational exhaustion, and loss of empathy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) provided the theoretical framework for the study as the Maslach burnout theory focuses on burnout based on occupational exhaustion, emotional strain, and coping mechanisms. A sample of 67 nurses working at a large healthcare system in Virginia participated in the study. Data were collected via an online survey comprised of a short demographic survey, items from the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and role overload survey. The results indicate that as role overload increased, so did organizational exhaustion as a form of burnout. The findings suggested nurses who experience a higher level of role overload may have less empathy toward their patients. Hospital administrators should plan better to have sufficient equipment on hand for the nurses and schedule their work to assure that they have respite time needed to recoup. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)