Burnout in Brazilian Intensive Care Units: A Comparison of Nurses and Nurse Technicians

Abstract

Job-related burnout has been reported by intensive care nurses worldwide; this study was performed to examine burnout in intensive care unit bedside nurses and nurse technicians in Brazil. A cross-sectional survey that included the Practice Environment Scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory was completed by 209 nurses and nurse technicians working in 4 Brazilian intensive care units in 3 teaching hospitals. Compared with nurse technicians, nurses reported higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and a lower level of personal accomplishment. A 1-unit increase in the quality of nurse practice environment was associated with a decrease in high levels of emotional exhaustion and low levels of personal accomplishment. Each additional patient added to a nurse’s workload was associated with an increase in high emotional exhaustion and low personal accomplishment. Approximately one-third of Brazilian nurses working in intensive care units report job-related burnout; the practice environment and staffing appear to be contributing factors.