Essentials of Nursing Leadership and Management, 5th Edition

chapter 13 | Work-Related Stress and Burnout 213

Evidence-Based Practice
Faragher, E., Cass, M., & Cooper, C. (2003). The relationship between job satisfaction and health: A meta-analysis. Journal of
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 62, 105–112.
This systematic review and meta-analysis, completed in 2003, consisted of 500 studies of job satisfaction with 267,995
employees in a large variety of organizations, It demonstrated a strong correlation between job satisfaction and mental and
physical health. Aspects of mental health, i.e., burnout, lowered self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, were identified.
Cardiovascular disease was the main physical illness showing a correlation between job satisfaction and physical health.
These relationships demonstrated that job satisfaction level is an important factor influencing health of workers.
Additional studies can be found in:
Ekstedt, M. (2005). Lived experiences of the time preceding burnout. Journal of Advanced Nursing,49(1), 59–67.
Ruggeriero, J. (2005). Health, work variables, and job satisfaction among nurses. Journal of Nursing Administration, 35(5),
254–263.

Study Questions

1.Discuss the characteristics of health-care organizations that may lead to burnout among nurses.

Which of these have you observed in your clinical rotations? How could they be changed or

eliminated?

2.How can a new graduate adequately prepare for reality shock? Based on your responses to the

questions in Boxes 13-3 and 13-4,what plans will you make to prepare yourself for your new role?

3.What qualities would you look for in a mentor? What qualities would you demonstrate as a

mentee? Can you identify someone you know who might become a mentor to you?

4.How are the signs of stress, reality shock, and burnout related?

5.How can you help colleagues deal with their stress? What if a colleague does not recognize that

he/she is under stress? What might you do to guide your colleague?

6.Identify the physical and psychological signs and symptoms you exhibit during stress. What sources

of stress are most likely to affect you? How do you deal with these signs and symptoms?

7. Develop a plan to manage stress on a long-term basis.

Case Study to Promote Critical Reasoning

Shawna, a new staff member, has been working from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on an infectious disease floor

since obtaining her RN license 4 months ago. Most of the staff members with whom she works

with have been there since the unit opened 5 years ago. On a typical day, the staffing consists of a

nurse manager, two RNs, an LPN, and one technician for approximately 40 patients. Most patients

are HIV-positive with multisystem failure. Many are severely debilitated and need help with their

activities of daily living. Although the staff members encourage family members and loved ones to

help, most of them are unavailable because they work during the day. Several days a week, the

nursing students from Shawna’s community college program are assigned to the floor.

Tina, the nurse manager, does not participate in any direct patient care, saying that she is “too busy

at the desk.” Laverne, the other RN, says the unit depresses her and that she has requested a transfer

to pediatrics. Lynn, the LPN, wants to “give meds” because she is “sick of the patients’ constant

whining,” and Sheila, the technician, is “just plain exhausted.” Lately, Shawna has noticed that the