Nurses’ Job Burnout and Resilience in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the relationship between job burnout and resilience among nurses working in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Oman. Background: NICUs induce a significant amount of stress that predisposes nurses to a substantial degree of burnout. Resilience can play a role in reducing the effects of job burnout. A limited number of studies have examined job burnout and resilience among NICU nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was utilized. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to assess burnout, and the Brief Resilience Scale was used to assess perceptions of resilience. Pearson correlation was used to assess the relationship between job burnout and resilience. Results: A total of 173 staff nurses participated. Participants reported low levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization but moderate levels on the personal accomplishment subscale. Nurses reported moderate levels of resilience. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were negatively correlated with resilience, while personal accomplishment was positively correlated with resilience. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that enhancing resilience can reduce the effect of burnout among NICU nurses. Implications for Practice and Research: Enhancing levels of resilience among NICU nurses, in addition to providing adequate managerial support and good collegial relations, is essential to reduce their perceived job burnout.