The threat of COVID-19 and its influence on nursing staff burnout.

Aims: To evaluate whether the perceived threat of COVID-19 moderates the influence of work resources and demands on burnout.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: We used a convenience sample of 771 nurses working in 10 hospitals in northern Spain. The data on burnout, demand, and resources at work and the perceived threat of COVID-19 were compiled in the second fortnight of April 2020 using an online questionnaire. We used several hierarchical linear regression models.

Results: Work overload, material and human resources and social support at work were significant in explaining burnout. The perceived threat of COVID-19 variable was also significant and presented the highest regression coefficient (β = 0.392). The perceived threat of COVID-19 moderated the relationship between social support at work and burnout.

Conclusion: The perceived threat of COVID-19 helped to explain the degree of burnout in nurses and moderated the relationship between social support at work and burnout.

Impact: Hospitals should implement strategies to ensure that health emergency situations are not perceived as a threat. In pandemics, the organization should maintain clear, fluid, and regular communication with the nursing staff, which would help increase staff members' confidence and sense of control.