Exploring Burnout and Leadership Mitigation Plans in Academic Nursing Environments.

Background: Staff burnout in higher education may affect nursing department functionality. There is limited literature regarding staff burnout and its manifestations in nursing colleges and schools.

Purpose: This study evaluated academic nurse leaders' perceptions of burnout and mitigation strategies in colleges and schools of nursing.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey examined burnout and mitigation strategies among associate deans, business officers, and members of the Organizational Leadership Network (n = 105).

Results: Among academic leaders, 57.14% noted that staff burnout was either a notable or a major challenge. Resignations (56.86%) and difficulties in backfilling staff positions (54.90%) were the 2 most common manifestations of staff burnout. However, only a small percentage had an active burnout mitigation strategy for faculty (13.33%) and staff (6.67%).

Conclusion: There is a disconnect between acknowledging burnout as a pressing concern and implementing effective mitigation strategies. By creating a supportive work environment and encouraging professional development, leaders can significantly reduce burnout and enhance overall employee well-being.