Professional Burnout of Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses in Lithuania
The aim of this study was to investigate the level and associated factors of professional burnout of neonatal intensive care nurses in Lithuania. Methods: Neonatal intensive care nurses from 2 Centers of Perinatology participated in an anonymous survey (n=94). Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), assessing 3 components of burnout syndrome, i.e., emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishments, was applied for the purposes of this study. There are 22 items, which are divided into 3 subscales. The inventory was designed for professionals in the human services. Results. The range of scores on the emotional exhaustion scale varied from 0 to 37 points, and the mean score was 14.4±7.91 points. Assessment of the extent of emotional exhaustion among neonatal intensive care nurses demonstrated that 48.9% of the nurses had a low level of physical and emotional exhaustion, 41.5% had an average level, and 9.6% were overextended and exhausted by their work. The range of the score on the depersonalization subscale varied from 0 to 20 points, and the mean score was 3.8±4.75 points. It was found that 9.6% of the nurses had an average level of depersonalization and 12.8% had a high level. The range of the personal accomplishments subscale was from 6 to 48 points, and the mean score was 29.1±10.12 points. A weak feeling of competence and successful achievements at work was relevant to 61.7% of the nurses, moderate to 23.4%, and strong to 14.9% of the study respondents. Neonatal nurses who were <40 years had a higher risk of professional burnout than those who were ≥40 years (OR=3.159, P=0.044). Conclusions. Neonatal intensive care nurses at Lithuanian Centers of Perinatology regularly experienced job-related emotional and physical tension that was reflected on their moderate emotional exhaustion. The degree of depersonalization was low for the majority of neonatal intensive care nurses although their personal accomplishments, especially those related to interaction with patients and emotional calm, were estimated as insufficient. There is a need for neonatal intensive care unit nurses’ relaxation training and managerial interventions to improve their working environment.
Correspondence to N. Skorobogatova Department of Psychology, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania. E-mail: natalija.skorobogatova@gmail.com