Examining the Nurse Manager Practice Environment Effects on Burnout: Results of a Cross-sectional Multisite Study

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the relationships between the dimensions of the nurse manager (NM) practice environment (PE) and burnout.

Background: NMs are critical to the success of their unit(s). Understanding the degree to which their PE characteristics impact their level of burnout is important to NM retention.

Method: A cross-sectional research design using a 71-item questionnaire was used to measure NM characteristics, hospital characteristics, NM PE, and burnout. There were 110 completed respondents across 22 hospitals in the United States.

Results: Moderate inverse relationships exist between the NM PE and 2 of the 3 (work and personal) dimensions of burnout. NM age and tenure also showed an inverse relationship with burnout.

Conclusions: This study added evidence showing a statistically significant relationship between NM PE and the work and personal dimensions of burnout. These results also suggest the relationships NMs have with the patients on their unit(s) do not add to their level of burnout.