Differentiating Occupational Burnout Among Chinese Nurses: Moderating Roles in Nursing Work Environment and Perceived Care Quality

<b>Objective</b>: To investigate and identify different profiles of occupational burnout among Chinese nurses and explore how these burnout profiles moderate the relationship between the nursing work environment and perceived care quality. <b>Methods</b>: Cross-sectional data retrieved from the Chinese Nursing Work Environment Survey (C-NWES) were used for analysis. Variables of interest included occupational burnout, the nursing work environment, nurses' perceived care quality, and demographic characteristics. Latent profile analysis was employed to identify potential profiles of occupational burnout, which were subsequently used as moderating variables to explore the relationship between the nursing work environment and perceived care quality. <b>Results</b>: Four profiles of occupational burnout were identified among Chinese nurses: Self-Fulfillment profile (38.3%), Emotional Exhaustion profile (37.7%), Lack of Accomplishment profile (16.6%), and Self-Isolation profile (7.4%). Among these, nurses in the Self-Fulfillment profile showed the greatest responsiveness to changes in the work environment, followed by those in the Self-Isolation profile, with the Emotional Exhaustion profile being the least responsive. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings highlight the need for tailored interventions to address the specific needs of distinct nurse groups experiencing burnout, enabling organizations to improve nurses' well-being, work performance, and patient care quality.