Burnout within forensic psychiatric nursing : Its relationship with ward environment and effective clinical supervision?

Berry, Suzanne and Robertson, Noelle (2019) Burnout within forensic psychiatric nursing : Its relationship with ward environment and effective clinical supervision? Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 26 (7-8). pp. 212-222. ISSN 1351-0126

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Abstract

4.1 Introduction Despite extensive research examining burnout in psychiatric nursing staff, literature exploring key predictors of burnout in secure psychiatric settings has been relatively neglected. Research has yet to explore burnout in these settings by adopting previously identified predictors such as support or the ward environment. 4.2 Aim The current study aimed to reduce this gap by exploring burnout, the perceived effectiveness of clinical supervision and ward environment. 4.3 Method In 2014, nursing staff working in a medium secure forensic psychiatric unit in the United Kingdom (N = 137) provided demographic information and completed the measures assessing: Burnout, clinical supervision and the ward environment. 4.4 Results Approximately 10% of nursing staff could be classed as “burnt‐out”. The main predictors of burnout were age and ward environment. Clinical supervision had minimal association with burnout. 4.5 Discussion The current study sheds doubt on clinical supervision as a potential intervention for burnout and results appear comparable to research within other settings. The implications of the ward environment, supervision and burnout are discussed herein. 4.6 Implication for Practice Interventions may need to focus on a positive ward environment (including patient cohesion, experienced safety and enhancing the therapeutic atmosphere). Organizations should support younger nursing staff as they appear particularly vulnerable to burnout.