Title : Burnout experiences of community public health nurses
Abstract:
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the unique challenges faced by community health nurses in Tennessee during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study focused on understanding the personal, professional, and work conditions of these nurses, highlighting the often-overlooked experiences of those working outside hospital settings. By employing a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive correlational approach, the research sought to identify correlations between work environments and burnout levels among community-based nurses.
Significance: The significance of this study lies in its potential to fill a critical gap in the literature regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community-based nurses. While substantial research has examined the experiences of hospital-based nurses during the pandemic, less is known about those working in community health settings. Understanding these dynamics is vital as the U.S. faces a worsening nursing shortage, particularly with the retirement of the baby boomer generation. Insights from this study could inform policy and practice, guiding the development of supportive measures to enhance nurse retention and improve patient outcomes in community settings.
Methods: The study utilized a novel theoretical framework, the Work Environment Burnout (WEB) model, which combined elements of McLeroy’s Socio-ecological Model and Bakker and Demerouti’s Job Demands-Resources model. Data was collected through an online survey distributed to community-based nurses in Tennessee. The survey included the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nurse Work Index and assessed various aspects of work environments and burnout levels. A total of (n=121) nurses were recruited for this study. Data analysis involved using IBM SPSS version 29 to perform descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and Pearson’s correlation to explore relationships between variables.
Results: As the research is currently in the analysis stage, results are not yet available. However, based on preliminary data, anticipated outcomes include identifying key factors within community-based work environments that contribute to burnout. The study aims to elucidate the relationships between work environment characteristics—such as engagement, clinical competence, and resource adequacy—and three types of burnout: personal, work-related, and client-related. By highlighting these connections, the researcher hopes to provide actionable insights for healthcare organizations to improve working conditions for community-based nurses, ultimately enhancing their well-being and professional satisfaction.
