From Stress to Burnout: Exploring the Protective and Predictive Factors for Nurses’ Well-Being

Background/Objectives: Occupational stress is a prevalent issue in healthcare settings, particularly among nurses, and is often associated with increased levels of burnout and reduced well-being. This study aims to examine the relationship between occupational stress and burnout among nurses, with a particular focus on the mediating role of job satisfaction and the moderating role of self-efficacy. Methods: A quantitative research design was employed using data collected from 245 nurses in Saudi Arabia through a bilingual survey instrument incorporating validated psychological measures. Statistical analyses were conducted to test the direct, mediating, and moderating relationships among the study variables. Results: The findings indicate that occupational stress is positively associated with burnout and negatively related to job satisfaction. Job satisfaction was found to partially mediate the relationship between stress and burnout, suggesting that reduced job satisfaction serves as a key mechanism through which stress contributes to burnout. In contrast, self-efficacy did not demonstrate a significant moderating effect in this relationship. Conclusions: This study contributes to the occupational health literature by highlighting the critical role of job satisfaction in mitigating the adverse effects of stress on burnout among nurses. The findings offer practical implications for healthcare leaders and policymakers seeking to design targeted interventions aimed at enhancing job satisfaction, reducing burnout, and improving nurses’ overall well-being.