Factors influencing burnout, stress levels, and coping strategies among nursing staff in intensive care units

IntroductionProfessional burnout among nurses, particularly in intensive care units, is a significant issue affecting both healthcare professionals and patient care quality. It contributes to increased medical errors and diminished care standards. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors...

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Main Authors: Beata Wudarczyk, Sabina Krupa-Nurcek, Michał Czapla, Izabella Uchmanowicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1530353/full
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author Beata Wudarczyk
Sabina Krupa-Nurcek
Michał Czapla
Michał Czapla
Izabella Uchmanowicz
Izabella Uchmanowicz
author_facet Beata Wudarczyk
Sabina Krupa-Nurcek
Michał Czapla
Michał Czapla
Izabella Uchmanowicz
Izabella Uchmanowicz
author_sort Beata Wudarczyk
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionProfessional burnout among nurses, particularly in intensive care units, is a significant issue affecting both healthcare professionals and patient care quality. It contributes to increased medical errors and diminished care standards. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors influencing professional burnout in nursing staff working in intensive care units.MethodologyThis quantitative study was conducted between March and November 2019 among nurses undergoing qualification and specialization training at the European Centre for Postgraduate Education in Wrocław. A total of 286 questionnaires were collected, with 282 valid responses after excluding incomplete questionnaires (1.4%). Standardized tools used included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Mini-COPE Stress Coping Inventory. Participation was anonymous and voluntary, with informed consent obtained from all respondents.ResultsThe study included 282 respondents, with women comprising 93.62% of the participants. The average burnout score based on the MBI was 39.78 out of 100 (SD = 20.7). According to the PSS-10, 43.26% of respondents experienced high stress, 36.88% medium stress, and 19.86% low stress. The Mini-COPE results indicated frequent use of Active Coping and Planning strategies, while strategies like Denial and Substance Use were used infrequently. Regarding life satisfaction (SWLS), 41.84% of participants had medium, 32.27% high, and 25.89% low life satisfaction.ConclusionProfessional burnout among nursing staff is a multifaceted issue closely related to stress levels, coping mechanisms, and overall life satisfaction. Addressing burnout requires comprehensive approaches that consider these interrelated factors.Practical implicationsTo reduce burnout among ICU nurses, healthcare institutions should integrate routine stress assessments and provide structured support systems, such as resilience training and peer support programs. These interventions can enhance nurses’ ability to manage stress, decrease emotional exhaustion, and ultimately improve the quality of care delivered to patients in high-stress environments like intensive care units.
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spelling doaj-art-c162cb5c2f77477ba5332a4a928fb1ad2025-08-20T03:47:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-05-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15303531530353Factors influencing burnout, stress levels, and coping strategies among nursing staff in intensive care unitsBeata Wudarczyk0Sabina Krupa-Nurcek1Michał Czapla2Michał Czapla3Izabella Uchmanowicz4Izabella Uchmanowicz5Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, PolandDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, PolandDivision of Scientific Research and Innovation in Emergency Medical Service, Department of Emergency Medical Service, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, PolandGroup of Research in Care (GRUPAC), Faculty of Health Science, University of La Rioja, Logroño, SpainDivision of Research Methodology, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, PolandCentre for Cardiovascular Health, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, United KingdomIntroductionProfessional burnout among nurses, particularly in intensive care units, is a significant issue affecting both healthcare professionals and patient care quality. It contributes to increased medical errors and diminished care standards. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors influencing professional burnout in nursing staff working in intensive care units.MethodologyThis quantitative study was conducted between March and November 2019 among nurses undergoing qualification and specialization training at the European Centre for Postgraduate Education in Wrocław. A total of 286 questionnaires were collected, with 282 valid responses after excluding incomplete questionnaires (1.4%). Standardized tools used included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Mini-COPE Stress Coping Inventory. Participation was anonymous and voluntary, with informed consent obtained from all respondents.ResultsThe study included 282 respondents, with women comprising 93.62% of the participants. The average burnout score based on the MBI was 39.78 out of 100 (SD = 20.7). According to the PSS-10, 43.26% of respondents experienced high stress, 36.88% medium stress, and 19.86% low stress. The Mini-COPE results indicated frequent use of Active Coping and Planning strategies, while strategies like Denial and Substance Use were used infrequently. Regarding life satisfaction (SWLS), 41.84% of participants had medium, 32.27% high, and 25.89% low life satisfaction.ConclusionProfessional burnout among nursing staff is a multifaceted issue closely related to stress levels, coping mechanisms, and overall life satisfaction. Addressing burnout requires comprehensive approaches that consider these interrelated factors.Practical implicationsTo reduce burnout among ICU nurses, healthcare institutions should integrate routine stress assessments and provide structured support systems, such as resilience training and peer support programs. These interventions can enhance nurses’ ability to manage stress, decrease emotional exhaustion, and ultimately improve the quality of care delivered to patients in high-stress environments like intensive care units.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1530353/fullnursesburnoutprofessionalintensive care unitsstresspsychological
spellingShingle Beata Wudarczyk
Sabina Krupa-Nurcek
Michał Czapla
Michał Czapla
Izabella Uchmanowicz
Izabella Uchmanowicz
Factors influencing burnout, stress levels, and coping strategies among nursing staff in intensive care units
Frontiers in Public Health
nurses
burnout
professional
intensive care units
stress
psychological
title Factors influencing burnout, stress levels, and coping strategies among nursing staff in intensive care units
title_full Factors influencing burnout, stress levels, and coping strategies among nursing staff in intensive care units
title_fullStr Factors influencing burnout, stress levels, and coping strategies among nursing staff in intensive care units
title_full_unstemmed Factors influencing burnout, stress levels, and coping strategies among nursing staff in intensive care units
title_short Factors influencing burnout, stress levels, and coping strategies among nursing staff in intensive care units
title_sort factors influencing burnout stress levels and coping strategies among nursing staff in intensive care units
topic nurses
burnout
professional
intensive care units
stress
psychological
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1530353/full
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