Burnout among nursing students: a mixed method study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Student Mental Health
• Occupational Psychology

Background:

• Undergraduate nursing students face unique stressors impacting their well-being.
• Burnout syndrome is a significant concern in higher education, particularly in demanding fields like nursing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and contributing factors of burnout syndrome among undergraduate nursing students.
• To understand the lived experiences of nursing students regarding burnout.

Main Methods:

• An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted with 114 nursing students at a Brazilian public university.
• Quantitative data (Maslach Burnout Inventory - Student Survey) were analyzed using multiple linear regression, followed by qualitative interviews with 21 students at risk of burnout.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of burnout syndrome was 10.5%. Higher academic progression, increased workload, and course dissatisfaction were significantly associated with higher scores for exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced academic effectiveness.
• Qualitative data revealed that intense daily course demands led to overload, exhaustion, physical/mental illness symptoms, distancing from studies, and feelings of incompetence.

Conclusions:

• Dimensions of burnout syndrome in nursing students are linked to academic daily life stressors.
• Urgent investment in health promotion and prevention strategies within the university context is crucial for supporting nursing students' well-being.