Satisfaction, Burnout, and Turnover Among Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants: A Review of the Empirical Literature

Abstract

Examining the work-related psychological states of nurse practitioners and physician assistants is important, given their increased role expansion. The current PRISMA-guided review examined studies published between 2000 and 2016 for both these groups. The review also examined features of the research to draw conclusions about overall quality. Applying theories in job enrichment and job demands, 32 articles were identified that contained analyses of satisfaction, burnout, stress, and turnover. Key findings include the lack of robust research designs, overemphasis on job satisfaction, lower levels of satisfaction across both groups, and higher intrinsic versus extrinsic satisfaction levels generally. The literature can develop by using larger, more representative samples, including subgroup analyses that incorporate everyday work contexts, and more predictive modeling. The results suggest that both occupations experience role expansion in both positive and negative ways that may require additional policy or managerial interventions.