Abstract
Purpose: The effects of burnout can have serious consequence for individual nurse’s, patients and healthcare organisations. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and predictors of burnout and work-life balance amongst haemato-oncology nurses.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design. Haematology cancer nurses attending a 2-day conference in Ireland, during Oct 2019 were recruited. Anonymised data were collected on: 1) socio- demographics and occupational variables, 2) burnout using Maslach Burnout Inventory and 3) satisfaction with work-life balance.
Results: There was an 80.4% survey completion rate (n =78 of 97). One-third of haemato-oncology nurses re-ported high levels of emotional exhaustion, with an additional 46% experiencing moderate levels. Despite this, 64% of nurses highlighted a moderate or high level of personal accomplishment. Demographics such as <40yrs old, unmarried, working ≥25hrs per week and having 6–10 years’ experience in haemato-oncology, all showed trends towards increased burnout, although none reached statistical significance. Over half (58%) surveyed were dissatisfied with their work-life balance. Nurses with dependent children had statistically significant poorer work-life balance scores. In addition, one-third reported they did not receive adequate support or reasonable adjustments from their organisation, with inpatient nurses finding this particularly challenging.
Relevance to clinical practice: Taking into consideration the high levels of burnout, healthcare organisations should have a responsibility to teach approaches of stress management, self-care and foster resilience within their workforce. Oncology nurses with dependent children, working in in-patient settings, have identified a need for greater flexibility with working conditions, to improve work-life balance.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design. Haematology cancer nurses attending a 2-day conference in Ireland, during Oct 2019 were recruited. Anonymised data were collected on: 1) socio- demographics and occupational variables, 2) burnout using Maslach Burnout Inventory and 3) satisfaction with work-life balance.
Results: There was an 80.4% survey completion rate (n =78 of 97). One-third of haemato-oncology nurses re-ported high levels of emotional exhaustion, with an additional 46% experiencing moderate levels. Despite this, 64% of nurses highlighted a moderate or high level of personal accomplishment. Demographics such as <40yrs old, unmarried, working ≥25hrs per week and having 6–10 years’ experience in haemato-oncology, all showed trends towards increased burnout, although none reached statistical significance. Over half (58%) surveyed were dissatisfied with their work-life balance. Nurses with dependent children had statistically significant poorer work-life balance scores. In addition, one-third reported they did not receive adequate support or reasonable adjustments from their organisation, with inpatient nurses finding this particularly challenging.
Relevance to clinical practice: Taking into consideration the high levels of burnout, healthcare organisations should have a responsibility to teach approaches of stress management, self-care and foster resilience within their workforce. Oncology nurses with dependent children, working in in-patient settings, have identified a need for greater flexibility with working conditions, to improve work-life balance.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 101973 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | European Journal of Oncology Nursing |
| Volume | 52 |
| Early online date | 13 May 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2021 |
Keywords
- Oncology nurses
- Cancer nursing
- Burnout
- Haematology
- Occupational stress
- Work-life balance
