Rela Tionship of Burnout to Personal and Job-Related Variables in Acute-Care Pediatric Settings

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Abstract
This study, based on the previous work of Maslach and Pines explores the relationship between personal and job-related variables and burnout for pediatric nurses employed in acute-care settings. Personal variables studied were marital status, level of education, age, and family responsibilities. Job-related variables were employment status, shift assignments, patient care overload, years in position, years of nursing experience, and overtime. The study was conducted in 13 acute-care pediatric units of general hospitals in the Queens-Nassau-Suffolk areas of New York. The sample was 74 female registered nurses. Principal measuring devices utilized were 1) the Tedium Measure; 2) a data sheet; and 3) two open-ended questions for reporting job-related sources of stress and satisfaction. Descriptive statistics were used in analyzing the personal and job-related vriables on the data sheet, responses to the Tedium Measure, and responses to the open-ended questions. Correlation coefficients were obtained between personal and job-related variables and the Tedium Measure. Based on the Tedium Measure, nurses showed evidence of burnout. Only one variable (Percentage of Children on Unit With Social/Behavioral Problems) was significantly correlated with burnout. Thus a generalized approach to stress reduction as an aid in the prevention of burnout appears appropriate. This study and the emerging documentation of other researchers strongly suggests that it is essential to examine the need to increase positive factors to reduce stress and associated burnout. Suggestions are offered to increase the positive factors which the pediatric staff nurses stated were their greatest satisfactions such as time to give family-oriented care, patient teaching, and emotional support to children and parents.

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