The relation between occupational stress, burnout and the work engagement among nurses

Background: The most at risk of occupational stress and burnout is nurses, which may have an impact on job engagement. Engaged employees experience lower levels of physical and psychological stress, burnout, and demonstrate higher degrees of dedication to the organization. Aim of the study: To determine the relation between occupational stress, burnout and the work engagement among nurses. Subject and methods: Research design: A descriptive correlational design was utilized in this study. Sitting: This study was conducted at El Senbellawein General Hospital. Subjects: all nurses working in all units at El Senbellawein General Hospital (n=237). Tools of data collection: Three tools were used: Expanded Nursing stress Scale, Maslach-Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey, and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Results: Indicated that 67.1% of studied nurses had moderate level of occupational stress, 44.3%, and 68.4 of them had high level of burnout and work engagement respectively. Conclusion: Occupational stress was positively significantly correlated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and negatively significantly correlated with work engagement. As well emotional exhaustion was positively significantly correlated with depersonalization. Furthermore, work engagement was negatively significantly correlated with occupational stress and depersonalization, while, positively significantly correlated with personal accomplishment. Recommendation: potential sources of stress and burnout should be identified, implementing effective coping method, seeking mentor, creating realistic goals, doing something fun, spending time with others, and taking a break, it gives a chance to relax, and recharge physical and emotional reserves.