Burnout and Nursing Care: A Concept Paper

Abstract

Burnout comprises a series of undetermined physical and psychosocial symptoms caused by an excessive energy requirement at work—it is a crisis in relationships with work itself and not necessarily a concern with underlying clinical disorders related to workers. Professions involving human interactions commonly involve emotional engagement, especially when the cared-for person needs assistance and support, as is the primary concern in the nursing profession. To some extent, the acknowledgment of the phenomena of burnout and how it affects people is sometimes addressed from a biomedical perspective. This concept paper aims to describe the burnout concept and reflect on the impact on nurses. Our intention with this reflection, considering the burnout impact on nurses, is to support a paradigm change in the prevention and management of burnout in healthcare contexts, promoting and fostering the well-being of nurses.