Wellbeing and Burnout of Nurses Undergoing Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Burnout is defined as work-related emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) may be at increased risk for burnout. Wellbeing practices protect against burnout. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the wellbeing and burnout of nurses undergoing education to become SANEs, considering the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were from the SANE Wellbeing Study offered in conjunction with a SANE education program. The SANE Wellbeing Survey included the Nurse Wellbeing Self-Assessment (NWSAT), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and General Self-Efficacy (GSE) scale. Backward stepwise regression was used to identify factors that predicted NWSAT wellbeing scores. Results: A total of 68 nurses participated; most were female, white/non-Hispanic, bachelor’s-prepared, and worked in non-rural settings. About two-thirds completed the SANE Wellbeing Survey prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher MBI Emotional Exhaustion and PSS scores were associated with lower wellbeing on some NWSAT domains. Working in an emergency department as their primary setting, working in a rural hospital, and lower education level were associated with lower scores on some wellbeing domains. Nurses who completed the survey during the pandemic had lower MBI Personal Accomplishment, CD-RISC, and GSE scores, and higher PSS scores. Conclusion: Nurses who self-select to become SANEs may have good baseline wellbeing and low burnout. Implications for Clinical Forensic Nursing Practice: Strategies to promote wellbeing and prevent burnout after beginning SANE practice can support a healthy SANE workforce and prevent attrition.