Digital Stress and Burnout Among Nurse Leaders

To determine the prevalence of digital stress and burnout in acute-care hospital nurse leaders and to examine their relationship.

Nurse leaders face increasing digital demands. However, no literature explores the prevalence of digital stress or its impact on burnout.

A descriptive, correlational survey study of 145 nurse leaders from a single healthcare system using demographic questions, the Digital Stressors Scale, and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory.

Moderate digital stress was reported, particularly related to conflict (M = 22.92, SD = 7.71) and social environment (M = 22.78, SD = 6.22). Burnout was highest on the Work Burnout subscale (M = 309.46, SD = 110.93). Higher digital stress, especially from conflict and social demands, was associated with increased burnout across all domains of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory.

Digital stress significantly contributes to burnout among nurse leaders. Health systems should implement strategies to mitigate technology-related stress.