Level and correlates of burnout among orthopaedic nurses in Greece

To investigate the level and correlates of burnout among nurses employed in orthopaedic wards.

Descriptive study.

Sixty nurses from 3 Greek hospitals.

Data collected with a 3-section questionnaire, which included demographics, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and questions on 12 factors previously found to be associated with burnout among hospital nurses.

Burnout levels of orthopaedic nurses were relatively high. Nonsatisfactory relations with physicians, high difficulty in meeting patient care needs, and low work satisfaction were associated with higher emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalization (DP) and lower personal accomplishment (PA). High nursing workload was associated with higher EE, nonsatisfactory social life was associated with higher EE and DP, and profession nonsuitability and more years in nursing were associated with higher EE and lower PA.

Screening for burnout and identifying its correlates will increase nurses' awareness, allow detection of high-risk personnel, and guide appropriate interventions.