Evolution and Treatment of Academic Burnout in Nursing Students: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Aim: To analyse the scientific literature related to the evolution of burnout syndrome during nursing studies and the interventions for the treatment or prevention of this syndrome in nursing students. Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL databases was performed in August 2022 using the search phrase “burnout AND nursing students” to extract experimental and longitudinal studies. Results: Eleven relevant studies were obtained for analysis. Four were experimental, and seven were cohort studies. According to these studies, the interventions reduced burnout overall, but on occasion, the burnout scores for some aspects increased, as did the prevalence. Psychological and work environment-related variables were the most important factors predicting burnout. Conclusion: Burnout (i.e., emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation) tends to increase during nursing studies. Related factors include personality, coping strategies, life satisfaction, and the work environment. Interventions such as progressive muscle relaxation, behavioural therapy, and recreational music may alleviate burnout.