Physiological Resilience and Perceived Workplace Characteristics Predict Burnout Symptoms in Nurses

Among healthcare workers, nurses are at highest risk of developing burnout. Numerous workplace and individual factors have been implicated in the development of burnout in this population. However, the biopsychosocial factors that contribute to burnout are likely multifactorial and the relative importance of these factors is not well understood. Additionally, limited research has explored the potential role of physiological recovery in risk for burnout. The current study aimed to identify the relative importance of biopsychosocial (i.e., biobehavioral, psychiatric, organizational) factors associated with burnout to support early identification of nurses at risk for this syndrome. Methods: Fifty nurses in a large hospital system were provided with a wearable device to collect biobehavioral data for 30 days. They also completed psychosocial and symptom self-report measures. Machine learning analyses were used to identify the most salient factors associated with burnout. Results: Complete data were available for 43 participants. Three factors, perceived workload, neuroticism, and heart rate variability (HRV) were the strongest predictors of burnout. Conclusions: Risk for burnout may be efficiently assessed using three factors. Burnout interventions may consider aligning workload with individual nurses’ resources and strategies to promote physiological recovery.