Emotional exhaustion among operating room and general ward nurses: evidence from a regional hospital in Taiwan

Abstract

This study examined differences in emotional exhaustion (EE) among nurses working in operating rooms (ORs) and general wards (GWs) at a regional teaching hospital in Taiwan. A total of 263 nurses completed the EE subscale of the Chinese Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (CSAQ). Results showed that OR nurses consistently reported significantly higher EE levels than GW nurses, especially regarding fatigue, emotional depletion, and interpersonal strain. Among GW nurses, older and mid-career individuals exhibited significantly higher EE scores, suggesting an age-related cumulative burden. Independent samples t-tests and ANOVA were applied to identify group differences. Gender, educational attainment, and managerial role were not significantly associated with EE levels. These findings highlight the combined impact of clinical unit context and individual demographics on nurse wellbeing. Healthcare organizations are advised to implement targeted interventions, such as stress debriefing for OR teams and long-term support for mid-career or senior GW nurses, to reduce EE and promote psychological resilience.