Working conditions, burnout and nurses' decision to quit the job: a cross-sectional study

The intention to quit the job among the nursing staff is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon, which is significantly influenced by burnout. Chronic psychophysical strain, excessive working hours, low remuneration and unfavourable working environment conditions lead to increasing fatigue, frustration and decreased professional commitment. As a result, burnout not only increases staff turnover, but also negatively affects the quality of patient care and their safety. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between working conditions and burnout and nurses' decision to resign from work.

A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. The study group consisted of 212 male and female nurses employed in medical facilities in various regions of Poland. The study was conducted February-May 2024 using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index and an original questionnaire.

The majority of the respondents were women (92.92%), who were more willing to leave their jobs (87.78%) than men. Only 5.19% of respondents would recommend their workplace to other nurses as a good place to work. In the group of nurses intending to leave their jobs, over half (77.78%) of respondents negatively assessed their hospital as a place of work. Employees with the intention to leave their jobs achieved a significantly higher mean (M) value of the total burnout score (M = 58.96), p < 0.001.

Nurses planning to quit their job rated their work environment worse, especially in terms of cooperation, support from the supervisor and management, and showed higher levels of burnout and emotional exhaustion. Better working conditions and good relationships with coworkers were associated with lower levels of burnout and higher job satisfaction. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(6).