Professional burn-out of nurses working in hospital departments of neurology

Introduction. There are many causes of professional burn-out: permanent stress, overwork, daily contact with ill people without enough
rest, work under pressure and without satisfaction.

Aim of the study. The main aim of this Master’s Thesis was to define and to describe professional burn-out of nurses working in hospital
departments of neurology.

Material and methods. Research was made in Gdansk and Elblag, in 2008 and 2009 years, among 112 nurses from neurology hospital
departments by diagnostic poll method, using self-made inquiry form.

Results. Research confirmed occurrence of symptoms and habits which are typical for professional burn-out syndrome among questioned
nurses. Results of the research showed that 19.6% of questioned nurses have very high intensity of symptoms and habits which can indicate
high level of professional burn-out. The main reasons of this situation are: permanent overload (daily contact with suffering, helplessness,
danger to personal safety) and duty overload. Next result of our research is designation of main factors which reduce work efficiency:
excess of documents, lack of equipment, low earnings, inefficient work organisation and night duties.

Conclusions. Questioned nurses declared high level of needs for prevention of professional burn-out.

Nursing Topics 2010; 18 (4): 435-442