Burnout and Related Factors of Nurses Caring for DNR Patients in Intensive Care Units, South Korea

Abstract

This study examined the factors related to burnout, depression, job stress, and job satisfaction in intensive care unit (ICU) nurses caring for do not resuscitate (DNR) patients, as well as analyzed any differences. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. Study participants involved a total of 115 nurses caring for DNR patients in ICUs in South Korean hospitals. Measures involved a demographic form, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Nursing Job Stress Scale (Korean version), and Nursing Job Satisfaction Scale (Korean version). Data were collected from February to March 2017. The analyses illustrated a higher level of burnout, a slightly lower level of depression, a slightly lower level of nursing job stress, and a very slightly higher level of nursing job satisfaction compared with the median value of the score range for each scale. Burnout had a significant, positive relationship with depression and nursing job stress, and depression had a significant, positive relationship with nursing job stress. This study illuminates preliminary evidence that ICU nurses who are caring for DNR patients have a higher level of burnout compared with the median value of the score range in the CBI (Korean version). Burnout, depression, job stress, and job satisfaction were interrelated in ICU nurses.