Workplace Stressors Associated With Burnout Among Emergency Nurses and Other Emergency Healthcare Professionals: A
Lisa M Vizer1,2, Chao Chin Liu2,3, Elizabeth K Kwong2,3
1Division of General Internal Medicine & Clinical Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA, unc.edu.
Journal of Nursing Management
|May 26, 2026
Summary
High burnout rates (up to 81%) affect emergency healthcare professionals. This study identified key workplace stressors like staffing and communication, prioritizing them for targeted interventions to reduce burnout.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Healthcare Management
- Occupational Health
Background:
- High prevalence of burnout among emergency healthcare professionals (up to 65%) and emergency nurses (53%).
- Significant impact of workplace stressors on healthcare professionals' well-being and job satisfaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and prioritize workplace stressors contributing to burnout in emergency healthcare settings.
- To develop a framework for targeted interventions aimed at reducing burnout.
Main Methods:
- Mixed methods study employing surveys, focus groups, and contextual inquiries.
- Thematic analysis and affinity modeling to identify and prioritize stressors.
- Multilevel design involving emergency nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Main Results:
- 81% of surveyed emergency healthcare professionals met burnout criteria.
- Key stressors identified include staffing levels, workflow, communication, and care coordination.
- Prioritized areas for improvement encompass workflows, patient safety, staffing, and communication.
Conclusions:
- A mixed-methods approach effectively identifies and prioritizes workplace stressors contributing to burnout.
- This methodology provides a viable strategy for guiding interventions to reduce burnout in emergency healthcare.
- Findings can inform targeted strategies to improve the work environment for emergency healthcare professionals.
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