A Single-Centre Study of Factors Associated with Components of Burnout Among Nursing Students in Croatia

Abstract

Background: Nursing students frequently encounter burnout, a state potentially jeopardizing their academic and subsequent professional trajectory.

Aim: To examine how demographic attributes are associated with burnout levels among nursing students, emphasizing variations across Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) subscales.

Methods: In 2022, 159 nursing students from the Faculty of Health Studies Rijeka, Croatia, were assessed for burnout using a cross-sectional approach. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey and a general questionnaire collecting demographic details.

Results: Among female students, 57.1% reported 'high' emotional exhaustion, compared to 36% of male students, though this difference was not statistically significant. In the age group of 18-25 years, a pronounced 60.2% experienced 'high' emotional exhaustion, which diminished with age. Significant differences emerged based on study type; 61.3% of full-time students displayed heightened emotional exhaustion compared to 46.2% of part-time students (p=0.028). Regarding marital status, single students showed increased emotional exhaustion, while married counterparts had reduced burnout levels, with married participants exhibiting statistically significantly lower overall burnout levels (p=0.034). These findings underscore the importance of addressing burnout in critical and intensive care nursing, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to manage burnout among future professionals in these high-stress areas.

Conclusion: Burnout among nursing students is distinctly associated with demographics, particularly age, study type, and marital status. Tailored interventions targeting specific student groups may prove beneficial in addressing burnout.