An Exploratory Study of the Influence of Perceived Organizational Support, Coworker Social Support, the Nursing Practice Environment, and Nurse Demographics on Burnout in Palliative Care Nurses.

Burnout, a condition characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment, has been studied in many disciplines in health care, including nursing, medicine, and social work. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived organizational support, coworker social support, the nursing practice environment, and nurse demographics (age, years of nursing experience, education level, marital status, and sex) on burnout in a national sample of palliative care nurses. The study aims were (1) to examine the relationship between perceived organizational support, coworker social support, and nursing practice environment on burnout in palliative care nurses; (2) to examine the relationship between age, years of nursing experience, education level, marital status, and sex on burnout in palliative care nurses; and (3) to examine potential moderators (perceived organizational support and coworker social support) on the relationship between demographic characteristics and palliative care nurse burnout.

Coping Strategies of Nurses in a Palliative Care Unit.

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the coping strategies of staff nurses working in palliative care. Death and dying are important aspects of nurses' day-to-day work in palliative care and considered stressful, yet satisfying. The sensitive feelings of nurses and delicate emotions may lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and overall poor clinical judgments, thus resulting in unsafe patient care.