[Burnout syndrome in nursing: etiology, complications, prevention]

The scale of burnout and its conditions in nursing are investigated empirically in 28 teams of nurses with 303 staff members in a provincial hospital. 58% of those investigated have more or less strongly pronounced symptoms of burnout. The results show clearly that amongst all variables investigated, the leadership behaviour of ward managers is the variable with the strongest influence on inner burnout in the care profession. Cooperative work relationships, external vocational training courses and team supervision are important in preventing burnout. As expected, there are positive correlations between the working hours and burnout.