OTIRI OCHUKO

Burnout among nurses is a growing concern in healthcare systems worldwide due to its adverse implications on both professional well-being and quality of patient care. This study aimed to assess the level of burnout among nurses and its perceived impact on patient care at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was employed, and a total of 222 registered nurses working across various clinical units were selected using a stratified random sampling technique to ensure equitable representation. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Out of 222 distributed questionnaires, 216 were valid and analyzed, yielding a high response rate of 97.3%. Results revealed that the majority of the respondents were female (81.9%) and within the age group of 30–39 years (33.3%). Most had a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (61.1%) and 6–10 years of post-qualification experience (37.0%). The findings indicated a high level of burnout among nurses, with a grand mean score of 3.2 across various burnout indicators. Additionally, the perceived impact of burnout on patient care was notably high, with a grand mean score of 3.3. Notable areas affected by burnout included emotional exhaustion, reduced empathy, communication difficulties, and decreased adherence to patient safety protocols. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that burnout is prevalent among nurses at UBTH and significantly affects the quality of patient care delivered. It underscores the need for organizational and psychological interventions to mitigate burnout and enhance the well-being of nurses. The study management training, and the establishment of mental health support systems to help reduce burnout and improve patient care outcomes.