Burnout of Transformational Nurse Leaders

Abstract

Background and Purpose Nurse leaders need to pay attention to their own wellbeing by understanding what leads to burnout. The aims of this dissertation are to: (a) review the evidence and determine how transformational leadership (TFL) characteristics are associated with burnout among nurse leaders; (b) identify the differences in burnout between male and female nurse leaders while considering work-life balance and COVID-19 impact; and (c) investigate the relationship between TFL and burnout by examining the mediating effect of stress, role overload, peer support, and work-life balance.

Methods Using PRISMA guidelines, an integrative review and critique of 11 articles was conducted. Personal burnout, work-related burnout, client burnout, work-life balance, and COVID-19 impact were assessed through a gender lens in a sample of 210 nurse leaders using ANCOVA testing. The relationship between TFL and burnout was investigated while examining the mediating effect of stress, role overload, peer support, and work-life balance in a sample of 210 nurse leaders using multiple regression analysis.

Results Findings from the integrative review aid in developing a better understanding of the general construct of TFL and burnout among nurse leaders; however, studies exhibited several limitations warranting further research in this area. Females had significantly higher personal burnout than males (Mean 56.2 vs. 49.3, F= 5.853, p = 0.019). Males had significantly higher client related burnout than females (Mean 45.3 vs. 34.8, F= 7.014, p = 0.008). Quantitative data derived from the multiple regression analysis revealed that among transformational nurse leaders, inspirational motivation skills (p <.000, 95% CI [6.8, 2.6]), work-life balance (p = 0.022, 95% CI [5.7, 0.4]), stress (p <.000, 95% CI [4.1, 11.0]), role overload (p <.000, 95% CI [2.2, 5.7]), and peer support (p = 0.001, 95% CI [4.6, 1.2]) were all retained as significant predictors of the burnout score.

Conclusions Examining factors that might be linked to burnout is important to increase awareness of the prevalence and impact of burnout in nurse leaders. Future researchers need to engage in meaningful conversations on the role of gender among nurse leaders and investigate TFL skills and their relationships with burnout among nurse leaders.