Exploring nurse leader fatigue: a mixed methods study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Leadership
• Occupational Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Nurse leader fatigue is a significant issue, yet understudied compared to staff nurse fatigue.
• High demands on nurse leaders contribute to fatigue, risking patient, nurse, and organizational outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of fatigue among hospital nurse leaders.
• To identify sources and consequences of nurse leader fatigue.
• To understand coping strategies employed by fatigued nurse leaders.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods approach using semi-structured interviews and the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery scale.
• Involved 21 nurse administrators (10 managers, 11 executives) from Midwestern hospitals.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of fatigue was reported among nurse leaders, with nurse managers experiencing higher chronic fatigue.
• Key fatigue sources include 24-hour accountability and intense role expectations.
• Consequences encompass impaired decision-making, work-life imbalance, and increased turnover intention.

Conclusions:

• High nurse leader fatigue prevalence poses risks to quality of care and administrator turnover.
• Healthcare organizations must adapt policies and programs to specifically address nurse leader fatigue.