Increased Job Burnout and Reduced Job Satisfaction for Nurses Compared to Other Healthcare Workers after the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Nurses experience high levels of job burnout and low levels of job satisfaction, while the COVID-19 pandemic has deteriorated working conditions. In this context, our aim was to compare levels of job burnout and job satisfaction among nurses and other healthcare workers (HCWs) after the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, we investigated the influence of demographics and job characteristics on burnout and satisfaction. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 1760 HCWs during June 2023. We used the single-item burnout measure and the “Job Satisfaction Survey”. In our sample, 91.1% of nurses experienced high levels of burnout, while the respective percentage for the other HCWs was 79.9%. Nurses’ satisfaction was lower than other HCWs. In particular, 61.0% of nurses experienced low levels of satisfaction, while the respective percentage for the other HCWs was 38.8%. Multivariable analysis identified that nurses, HCWs with an MSc/PhD diploma, shift workers, and those who considered their workplace as understaffed had higher burnout score and lower satisfaction score. Our results showed that the nursing profession was an independent factor of burnout and satisfaction. Several other demographic and job characteristics affected burnout and satisfaction. Policy makers, organizations, and managers should adopt appropriate interventions to improve work conditions.

Association between Workplace Bullying, Job Stress, and Professional Quality of Life in Nurses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Regarding the occurrence of bullying, the main organizational and workplace factors that predict its occurrence include inadequate staffing, lack of time to get the job done, lack of breaks away from the work, workload, and autocratic, unsupportive, and disengaged leadership [ 86 , 87 ]. Recently, the impact of the pandemic on health systems has created particularly challenging working conditions, favorable to the evolution of the phenomenon of bullying [ 88 , 89 ], as well as reduced job and compassion satisfaction [ 90 , 91 , 92 ].…”

Factors affecting the work ability of nursing personnel with post-COVID infection

“…Additionally, work-related factors such as low job satisfaction, and limited job control were found to be associated with poor work ability. The post COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted healthcare personnel burnout and job satisfaction, which may also impact their work ability 40 . Research conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak has further substantiated this, showing that psychosocial workplace conditions significantly affect the work ability.…”

The Reasons for Unfinished Nursing Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review

“…Nurses’ perceptions have mostly been investigated, at the bedside and at the different levels of healthcare services [ 20 , 22 , 23 ]. It has been widely recognised that the nursing workforce has been affected by the pandemic [ 25 , 26 ]; therefore, giving them a voice by involving all levels from the bedside to the executive one is important. However, the patients’ perspective has been investigated in only one study, so in the pre-pandemic era their perspectives remained mostly neglected.…”