Burnout syndrome of nurses in intensive care units in Latvia during Covid-19

Abstract

Burnout syndrome is a prevalent issue among healthcare professionals, particularly nurses working in ICUs, due to the high levels of stress and complex work environments exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to assess burnout levels among ICU nurses in Latvia during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine demographic factors influencing burnout dimensions. A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted with 90 ICU nurses from various regions of Latvia. Data were collected using the MBI and a demographic survey. Statistical analyses included Spearman's Rho correlation and the Kruskal-Wallis test, with a significance level of p < .05. The findings revealed high levels of emotional exhaustion (M = 24.71, SD = 8.87) and moderate levels of depersonalisation (M = 8.28, SD = 5.73). Nurses with higher education reported significantly greater emotional exhaustion (p = .006), while unmarried nurses exhibited lower professional achievement scores compared to their married counterparts (p = .046). A negative correlation was observed between emotional exhaustion and professional accomplishment (r = −0.222, p = .035). ICU nurses in Latvia experience significant burnout, highlighting the need for systemic interventions, such as optimising staffing, reducing workloads, and providing psychological support. These findings underscore the importance of targeted strategies to improve nurse well-being and healthcare quality in ICUs.