Trauma Nurses' Perceptions of Burnout, Value, and Administrative Interventions During COVID-19

Nurse burnout during COVID-19 has been well studied; however, limited research exists on the impact of hospital administrators' interventions on trauma nurses' perceptions of burnout and value during staffing crises.

To examine contributors to burnout and explore administrative interventions affecting trauma nurses' perceived value during COVID-19.

This exploratory, sequential mixed-methods study was conducted in 2 phases at a Level II trauma center in the western United States from January 2022 to January 2024. In phase 1, qualitative data from 13 semi-structured interviews with trauma nurses and administrators informed development of a cross-sectional survey. In phase 2, the resulting 50-item survey was distributed at the trauma center, through the Society of Trauma Nurses list serv, and at the 2023 conference.

Of 204 individuals who initiated the survey, 126 (62%) completed it (local: 45/69, 65%; national: 81/135, 60%). A response rate could not be calculated because of the multimodal distribution method. Exhaustion from an increased workload was the most reported burnout factor ( n = 115/123, 93%). Distress from crisis standards of care ranked second ( n = 112/124, 90%). Nurses felt most valued from financial incentives ( n = 92/123, 75%) and a responsive administration ( n = 79/123, 64%). Nurses felt least valued from "Healthcare Heroes" campaigns ( n = 75/124, 60%). Nurses satisfied with administrative support had lower odds of reporting burnout from administrative delays (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.31-0.85; p < .01).

Administrative approaches that reduce workload, prioritize responsiveness, and emphasize higher wages may improve nurse perceptions of value and mitigate burnout during staffing crises, whereas symbolic gestures such as "Healthcare Heroes" should be avoided.