Analysis and countermeasures on the correlation between self-efficacy and occupational burnout in nurses of emergency departments in tertiary hospitals

Objective: To understand the current status of self-efficacy in nurses working in the emergency department of tertiary hospitals in a prefecture-level city and to explore the correlation between self-efficacy and occupational burnout. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted with 140 registered nurses working in the emergency departments of seven tertiary hospitals in a certain city using a general information survey, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Descriptive analysis, univariate analysis, and correlation analysis were performed to analyze the data. Results: A total of 136 valid questionnaires were collected (97.14%). The average score for general self-efficacy was (2.62 0.53), indicating a moderate level. The scores for the various dimensions of occupational burnout in emergency department nurses were as follows: Emotional Exhaustion (26.61 10.87), Depersonalization (12.06 6.67), indicating severe burnout; Personal Accomplishment (40.64 9.95), indicating mild burnout. The self-efficacy score of emergency department nurses was negatively correlated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization (P < 0.01) and positively correlated with personal accomplishment (P < 0.02). Conclusion: Occupational burnout in emergency department nurses should be addressed, and improving their self-efficacy can help reduce burnout.