Burnout and Resilience in Community Nurses During COVID-19: A Holistic Nursing Perspective

Purpose of the Study: To assess burnout levels among community nurses in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the relationship between burnout dimensions, work-related stressors, and coping strategies, through a holistic nursing lens. Design of the Study: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design. Method Used: A convenience sample of 75 nurses from ACES Grande Porto V-Porto Ocidental completed an anonymous online questionnaire. The instrument included sociodemographic and professional variables, working conditions during the pandemic, and the Professional Wear Questionnaire for Nurses-Reduced Version. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: Overall levels of burnout were low across emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal fulfillment. The most significant stressors were work overload and contact with death and pain. Nurses primarily used social support and direct confrontation as coping strategies. No statistically significant associations were found between burnout dimensions and sociodemographic, professional, or psychological variables. Findings suggest the presence of resilience and possible institutional or personal protective factors. Conclusions: This study contributes to the holistic nursing science by emphasizing the importance of supporting nurses' well-being through holistic self-care and organizational practices. The findings underscore the need for additional research on protective factors and resilience-building interventions within comprehensive frameworks.