[Professional fatigue: a review of literature and implications for nurses]

The objective of this paper is to present literature revision of the factors which contribute to the professional hospital nurse fatigue. Burnout Syndrome, which is specific of the professionals who work directly with clients, like the hospital nurses, was chosen as a focus of study. The Burnout Syndrome is characterized by three fundamental symptoms: the sentiment of emotional fatigue, personal withdrawal and the reduction of professional achievement. In addition, the main associate variables were studied, and grouped in three categories: personal, organization and the work structure variables.