The Burnout among Multinational Nurses in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Aim: To examine the relationship between workplace stress, job satisfaction, intention-to-leave and the development of burnout among multinational nurses in Saudi Arabia (SA). Background: Burnout among healthcare workers is a critical issue that has negative impacts on staff well-being, turnover rate, patients’ care quality, and the overall organizations’ performance. Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s reliance on overseas nurses forms a unique working environment, where most nurses are working outside their home countries. The study was conducted at KFMC in Riyadh; a MOH affiliated tertiary care hospital with a 3000 multinational nursing workforce. Methods: A correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted over the period 1 August to 30 December 2016 to identify demographics, causes of job stress, burnout, job satisfaction, and nurses’ intention-to-leave. Two hundred and twenty-four nurses completed the survey. Results: 313 responses were collected (RR: 10.5%); of the total responses, 224 met the inclusion criteria. Workplace stress and nurses’ intention-to-leave have a positive correlation with the development of burnout symptoms. While job satisfaction levels had a negative correlation with the development of burnout symptoms. Overall, nurses’ demographics had no significant effect on the development of burnout. Conclusion: Multinational nurses in Saudi Arabia suffer from work-related stress and burnout that can translate into high turnover, which in turn can be detrimental to the health organizations in the country. Implications for Nursing Management: Vigilant strategies and interventions are required to improve the nurses working environment.