Determination of the factors of the working environment of geriatric nurses with a significant impact on their job satisfaction and the risk of burnout

Objectives: The working environment of nurses is characterized by several risk factors that can significantly affect survival, physical and psychological health and job satisfaction. Job satisfaction can have a significant impact on the quality of patient care and the overall performance of healthcare facilities. Job satisfaction is often affected by problems such as workload, lack of staff, insufficient work organization, insufficient support from superiors, and others. The mentioned aspects are the ones that often lead to burnout syndrome. If dissatisfaction with working conditions and the risk of burnout persist, it often leads to labor migration. The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between selected factors of the nurses‘ work environment and their job satisfaction and the risk of burnout.

Material and Methods: The research sample consisted of 263 nurses, who provide nursing care to geriatric patients. The average

length of practice of nurses in geriatrics was 10.31 years. The burnout syndrome risk questionnaire (SMBM) and self-constructed questionnaire focused on burdensome and problematic work situations at the workplace and job satisfaction of nurses were used for data collection.

Results: Among the workload factors that are significantly correlated with job satisfaction include working conditions, work organization (working hours, number of weekends, a lot of work in a limited time, work beyond the scope of one’s competences), insufficient material and technical security. Working conditions, work organization, atmosphere and relationships at the workplace are mainly correlated with the risk of burnout. Financial compensation, social benefits, personal development, career growth are not significantly correlated with workload or the risk of burnout.