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Research study shows huge burnout among nurse educators
A research study by industrial psychology student has found high burnout among nurse educators at one nursing college in Gauteng and has recommended that the study be expanded to national level.
The research by the student, Micaela Ali, was looking at the relationship between work engagement and burnout amongst nursing educators in Gauteng, in fulfillment of her honours qualification.
As part of her research methodology, she sampled 97 nurse educators at one nursing college, where questionnaires were distributed, and respondents were requested not to speak to one another while filling the questionnaire.
Some of her findings reflected that majority respondents were females at 95.5% and fell within 50 years or older.
Burnout reflected to be higher within male respondents. As burnout increases, engagement decreases among nurse educators.
Some of her recommendations are that the relationship between burnout and work engagement be explored more and that the sample be expanded to a national level to show the extent of burnout among nurse educators in the county.
She the limitations of her study are not reflective of the country's picture as the sample reflected only one nursing college in Gauteng.
As part of the research contributions, she said organisational commitment was needed and so is the need for manipulation of environment that encourages work engagement.
Her presentation ended with the two mind-pricking questions:
Do you feel that you have adequate employee wellness programme at Ann Latsky Nursing College?
If yes or no, how would you suggest that it can be improved?
Wellness coordinator at Ann Latsky Nursing College said she was happy that the research expressed her unhappiness, as it is often made clear that the core business of the institution is education.
Acting Chief Nursing Officer in Gauteng, Dr Kathy Petersen, said the wellness coordinator at the college faced the similar loneliness that all other coordinators feel throughout. She said wellness coordinators are often hardly listened to which causes frustrations.
