Burnout Among U.S. School Nurses After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Integrating Insights on Symptoms and Workplace Factors

Abstract

Background

Burnout among school nurses is a growing concern as it may influence mental health and job performance.

Purpose

This qualitative study investigates burnout-related factors among school nurses in the United States.

Methods

A 2022 large multi-state survey of school nurses was conducted with 1,259 responses to an open-ended question regarding burnout. These were analyzed using content analysis to identify themes. The difference between those with and without burnout was examined on the identified themes.

Results

Symptoms of burnout reported were anxiety, stress, irritability and anger, loss of personal and social connectedness, sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, and physical symptoms. The nurses reporting burnout also reported high workloads, job dissatisfaction, and intention to leave their current position.

Conclusions

Findings suggest the potential importance of workload in reducing burnout, which would require structural reform and sustained administrative support.

Keywords

burnout professional occupational stress school nursing work-Life balance mental health workplace environment exhaustion organizational culture professional well-being COVID

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