MITIGATION OF NURSE LEADER BURNOUT

Burnout is a substantial problem in healthcare and is identified as a significant cause of nurses leaving the nursing profession. Burnout for clinical nurses at the bedside is well researched, but there is a growing need to investigate burnout of nurse leaders. This project utilized the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) self-report assessment survey, which measures burnout in the workplace, and the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) conceptual framework to guide the implementation of an evidenced-based burnout mitigation toolkit for nurse leaders. The toolkit included a validated assessment tool, comprehensive education, and training based on the Institute of Health Improvement (IHI) “Framework for Improving Joy in Work” (2017), support tools, and workplace adjustments. Education sessions provided nurse leaders with the knowledge and skills to identify symptoms of burnout and effectively manage stress. Comparing results from the pre-and-post surveys demonstrates trending in the correct direction, indicating lower levels of burnout. The data indicates that nurse leaders are feeling varying degrees of mental and emotional exhaustion and disengagement. The results imply that burnout among nurse leaders may be influenced by various factors such as workload, organizational culture, and job demands. Additionally, findings indicate that aspects of their work, such as incorporating innovative practices, professional development opportunities, or engaging in meaningful projects, support nurse leader well-being and help to mitigate nurse leader burnout. Findings from this project demonstrate the presence of burnout among nurse leaders and promising results from the use of the mitigation of burnout toolkit.