Professional Fulfillment, Psychological Safety, and Resilience in Relation to Burnout Among Critical Care Nurses

Nurse burnout and threats to well-being influence turnover, nurse satisfaction, and patient outcomes. Working conditions and the work environment are known to affect burnout. Although these facts are well-documented, the most effective way to mitigate burnout remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of well-being concepts of professional fulfillment, psychological safety, and resilience, and their relationship to burnout in a diverse sample of critical care nurses.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among critical care nurses attending a national conference. Participants completed a survey to explore nurses' perceptions of the concepts of professional fulfillment, psychological safety, resilience, and burnout. The 27-item survey included 8 demographic questions and 4 open-ended questions. Open-ended questions asked participants about the use of well-being/wellness resources within their work environments.

The sample (n=218) revealed an inverse relationship between nurse burnout and professional fulfillment, psychological safety, and resilience. Nurses with higher professional fulfillment scores were 27% less likely to experience burnout (P<0.001). Similarly, nurses with higher psychological safety scores were 18% less likely to experience burnout (P<0.001). Nurses with more than 10 years of experience scored significantly higher on professional fulfillment (P<.001) and psychological safety (P=0.002) than nurses with <10 years of experience.

Strategies that support professional fulfillment and psychological safety may provide valuable opportunities to decrease burnout among critical care nurses.