Level of Professional Burnout and Sense of Coherence among Nurses Working in the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care

Introduction. Burnout syndrome, associated with loss of energy and enthusiasm, is an extremely important issue, especially for nurses working in the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, who constantly observe human suffering and high patient mortality in their work.Aim. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a sense of coherence on the level of professional burnout of nurses working in the department of anesthesiology and intensive care.Material and Methods. The study involved 89 subjects (71 women and 18 men) working in the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at the University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław. Questionnaires were used: The Sense of Coherence Questionnaire: SOC — 29, Maslach Burnout Inventory MBI, Job Satisfaction Scale SSP, Perceived Stress Scale PSS — 10 and a questionnaire of own authorship.Results. The mean score on the sense of coherence scale was 120.64, so the respondents presented an average level of sense of coherence. 43.82% of the respondents had a high level of emotional exhaustion. 48.31% had high levels of depersonalization. 69.66% of respondents showed low level of job satisfaction and 58.43% presented high levels of stress. The average level of job satisfaction was indicated by the mean score obtained by the respondents in SSP scale (19.6 points). Sense of coherence correlates positively (r > 0) with job satisfaction and negatively (r < 0) with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Relationship analysis revealed correlations between: gender, marital status and job burnout, marital status and perceived stress, job tenure and job satisfaction, and perceived stress and job satisfaction.Conclusions. A correlation was observed between a sense of coherence and occupational burnout and stress level and job satisfaction. The probability of professional burnout is higher in men and those who are not in a relationship. The results indicate that people who are in a relationship were found to cope better with stress. Job satisfaction is lowest in employees with job tenure, ranging from 6 to 10 years. (JNNN 2022;11(1):8–13)