Examining the Nurse Manager Practice Environment Effects on Burnout: Results of a Cross-sectional Multisite Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Management
• Occupational Health
• Healthcare Administration

Background:

• Nurse managers (NMs) are essential for unit success.
• Understanding the impact of the practice environment (PE) on NM burnout is crucial for retention.
• High burnout rates among NMs can negatively affect healthcare quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between nurse manager practice environment dimensions and burnout.
• To identify specific PE factors that influence NM burnout.
• To provide evidence-based strategies for improving NM well-being and retention.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional research design.
• A 71-item questionnaire assessed NM characteristics, hospital characteristics, NM PE, and burnout.
• Data collected from 110 respondents across 22 US hospitals.

Main Results:

• A moderate inverse relationship was found between the NM PE and work and personal dimensions of burnout.
• Nurse manager age and tenure also demonstrated an inverse relationship with burnout.
• No significant relationship was found between NM-patient relationships and burnout levels.

Conclusions:

• A statistically significant relationship exists between the NM PE and the work and personal dimensions of burnout.
• A positive practice environment may mitigate burnout in nurse managers.
• Further research should explore interventions to enhance the NM PE and reduce burnout.