System-Level Factors Contributing to Burnout and Professional Well-Being Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Nurses

Introduction: Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) health care professionals face significant burnout, yet evidence on system-level factors such as workplace discrimination that contribute to this issue among TGD nurses is limited. Responding to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ call...

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Main Authors: Hyunmin Yu, Celsea Tibbitt, J. Margo Brooks Carthon, Karen B. Lasater, José A. Bauermeister, Matthew D. McHugh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mary Ann Liebert 2025-02-01
Series:Health Equity
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Online Access:https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/heq.2024.0196
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author Hyunmin Yu
Celsea Tibbitt
J. Margo Brooks Carthon
Karen B. Lasater
José A. Bauermeister
Matthew D. McHugh
author_facet Hyunmin Yu
Celsea Tibbitt
J. Margo Brooks Carthon
Karen B. Lasater
José A. Bauermeister
Matthew D. McHugh
author_sort Hyunmin Yu
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) health care professionals face significant burnout, yet evidence on system-level factors such as workplace discrimination that contribute to this issue among TGD nurses is limited. Responding to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ call for research on burnout among health care staff from diverse demographic backgrounds, this study aimed to examine the system-level factors affecting burnout and professional well-being among TGD nurses and identify strategies to enhance their well-being. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study employed directed content analysis of responses of 6 different open-text survey questions from 66 TGD nurses, utilizing 2 nurse survey datasets collected pre-pandemic (December 2019–February 2020) and during the pandemic (April 2021–June 2021). To identify the system-level factors influencing burnout and well-being, the themes were developed using both inductive and deductive analytic approaches, guided by the Systems Model of Clinical Burnout and Professional Well-being. Results: Three themes related to the system-level factors affecting burnout and professional well-being among TGD nurses were: (1) poor working conditions characterized by inadequate staffing and insufficient protective measures, (2) lack of leadership support and a non-inclusive culture highlighted by unsupportive leadership and workplace discrimination, and (3) non-patient-centered U.S. health care and LGBTQ+ stigma that create barriers to providing quality care for marginalized groups and receiving care for themselves. Recommendations from participants to enhance their professional well-being are also presented. Conclusion: To support the well-being of TGD nurses and improve the quality of care for all patients, health care organizations should implement system-level changes that create a physically and psychologically safe and inclusive work environment.
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spelling doaj-art-06e7b90aa49c4ef79132958d1271aebd2025-08-20T03:49:37ZengMary Ann LiebertHealth Equity2473-12422025-02-019124525510.1089/heq.2024.0196System-Level Factors Contributing to Burnout and Professional Well-Being Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse NursesHyunmin Yu0Celsea Tibbitt1J. Margo Brooks Carthon2Karen B. Lasater3José A. Bauermeister4Matthew D. McHugh5Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.Introduction: Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) health care professionals face significant burnout, yet evidence on system-level factors such as workplace discrimination that contribute to this issue among TGD nurses is limited. Responding to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ call for research on burnout among health care staff from diverse demographic backgrounds, this study aimed to examine the system-level factors affecting burnout and professional well-being among TGD nurses and identify strategies to enhance their well-being. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study employed directed content analysis of responses of 6 different open-text survey questions from 66 TGD nurses, utilizing 2 nurse survey datasets collected pre-pandemic (December 2019–February 2020) and during the pandemic (April 2021–June 2021). To identify the system-level factors influencing burnout and well-being, the themes were developed using both inductive and deductive analytic approaches, guided by the Systems Model of Clinical Burnout and Professional Well-being. Results: Three themes related to the system-level factors affecting burnout and professional well-being among TGD nurses were: (1) poor working conditions characterized by inadequate staffing and insufficient protective measures, (2) lack of leadership support and a non-inclusive culture highlighted by unsupportive leadership and workplace discrimination, and (3) non-patient-centered U.S. health care and LGBTQ+ stigma that create barriers to providing quality care for marginalized groups and receiving care for themselves. Recommendations from participants to enhance their professional well-being are also presented. Conclusion: To support the well-being of TGD nurses and improve the quality of care for all patients, health care organizations should implement system-level changes that create a physically and psychologically safe and inclusive work environment.https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/heq.2024.0196transgender and gender-diversenursesgender identityburnoutprofessional well-beingworkplace discrimination
spellingShingle Hyunmin Yu
Celsea Tibbitt
J. Margo Brooks Carthon
Karen B. Lasater
José A. Bauermeister
Matthew D. McHugh
System-Level Factors Contributing to Burnout and Professional Well-Being Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Nurses
Health Equity
transgender and gender-diverse
nurses
gender identity
burnout
professional well-being
workplace discrimination
title System-Level Factors Contributing to Burnout and Professional Well-Being Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Nurses
title_full System-Level Factors Contributing to Burnout and Professional Well-Being Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Nurses
title_fullStr System-Level Factors Contributing to Burnout and Professional Well-Being Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Nurses
title_full_unstemmed System-Level Factors Contributing to Burnout and Professional Well-Being Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Nurses
title_short System-Level Factors Contributing to Burnout and Professional Well-Being Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Nurses
title_sort system level factors contributing to burnout and professional well being among transgender and gender diverse nurses
topic transgender and gender-diverse
nurses
gender identity
burnout
professional well-being
workplace discrimination
url https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/heq.2024.0196
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