Relationship Between Burnout and Professional Behaviors and Beliefs Among US Nurses.

Abstract

To evaluate the relationship between burnout and professional behaviors and beliefs among US nurses. We used data from 2256 nurses who completed a survey that included the Maslach Burnout Inventory and items exploring their professional conduct (documented something they had not done so they could "close out" an encounter in the EHR or part of the assessment not completed, requested continuing education credit for an activity not attended) and beliefs about reporting impaired colleagues. On multivariable analysis, burnout was independently associated with higher odds of reporting 1 or more unprofessional behaviors in the last year and not believing nurses have a duty to report impairment among colleagues due to substance use or mental health problems. Occupational burnout is associated with self-reported unprofessional behaviors and less favorable beliefs about reporting impaired colleagues among nurses.