An investigative study of burnout among university nurse academics in Australia
- Authors: Singh, Charanjit
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The overall aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence, extent and explore the experiences of Nurse Academics in Australia in relation to job satisfaction and burnout. Over the last three decades, university teaching has become increasingly challenging and stressful; this has affected the quality of life of academics. This is evidenced by the rapidly changing working conditions and stress experienced globally among university academics Consequently, the relationship between academics and their workplace are very demanding, more stressed, followed by lack of resources and eventually leading to burnout. Burnout is defined as a psychological syndrome emerging as a prolonged response to chronic interpersonal stressors on the job. Since, the move of nurse education into the university sector in Australia in the mid 1980’s, the stress and demands placed upon Nursing Academics has risen and intensified dramatically. Although the literature is replete about the work experiences among university academics very little research has been carried out to investigate the prevalence and explore the experiences among nurse academics, particularly within Australia (Bittner, & Bechtel, 2017) in relation to occupational stress and burnout. This research study utilized a mixed methods design, specifically, the sequential explanatory model A two phased approach was utilized. In phase one 234 nurse academics completed the survey comprised of the MBI, MSQ and demographics. In phase two, 19 participants were interviewed. The conceptual framework that underpins this study is influenced by the Job- Demands Resource Model (J-DR Model). In phase one, participants were drawn from a cross section from novice to experienced academics. 50% of participants reported low levels of burnout, whilst the other 50% reported either moderate or high levels of burnout. Out of these 50% who experienced burnout about 20% of respondents experienced a high-level of burnout. Similarly, 50% of the participants experienced low levels of job satisfaction and this correlated significantly with high levels of the total burnout scores (r = -0.56). Within the qualitative component, the main themes included a lack of work life balance, incivility towards staff, increasing workloads, challenging students, lack of recognition, negative workplace culture, lack of awareness of the importance of political astuteness, and lack of leadership skills and difficulty with retention of newly appointed staff. Many participants also expressed being threatened, felling intimidated, and unfairly treated coupled with facing personalities who were driven by power struggles. Overall, there appeared to be a sense of powerlessness, that participants were relatively powerless and unable to change their lot. Although personal resilience provided a buffering effect for some of the participants and acted as a protective factor against stress and burnout it is not well understood. This research study contributes to the ongoing body of work on the experiences of nurse academics globally and gives a further insight and understanding of the personal experiences of occupational stress and burnout among Australian nurse academics. However, a few potential limitations to this study should be noted. The study sample was only selected from within Australian universities which may limit the global generalisation of the findings and it was undertaken at an only one time point. Occupational stress leading to burnout is still considered an important factor and predictor of job satisfaction and intention to leave among Australian nurse academics. Effective mentoring and leadership styles that promote a nurturing work environment, a sense of belonging, being valued, heard, and recognised, are areas of priority. Strategies and policies should be revised for greater inclusiveness, academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and a better work-life balance. Further work is needed that examines the specific types of support systems that nurse leaders could initiate to reduce job stress leading to burnout. Ongoing evaluation is crucial to ensure the appropriateness, efficacy, and effectiveness of the support systems. The findings have important global implications in terms of recruitment and retention of nurse academic.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Singh, Charanjit
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The overall aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence, extent and explore the experiences of Nurse Academics in Australia in relation to job satisfaction and burnout. Over the last three decades, university teaching has become increasingly challenging and stressful; this has affected the quality of life of academics. This is evidenced by the rapidly changing working conditions and stress experienced globally among university academics Consequently, the relationship between academics and their workplace are very demanding, more stressed, followed by lack of resources and eventually leading to burnout. Burnout is defined as a psychological syndrome emerging as a prolonged response to chronic interpersonal stressors on the job. Since, the move of nurse education into the university sector in Australia in the mid 1980’s, the stress and demands placed upon Nursing Academics has risen and intensified dramatically. Although the literature is replete about the work experiences among university academics very little research has been carried out to investigate the prevalence and explore the experiences among nurse academics, particularly within Australia (Bittner, & Bechtel, 2017) in relation to occupational stress and burnout. This research study utilized a mixed methods design, specifically, the sequential explanatory model A two phased approach was utilized. In phase one 234 nurse academics completed the survey comprised of the MBI, MSQ and demographics. In phase two, 19 participants were interviewed. The conceptual framework that underpins this study is influenced by the Job- Demands Resource Model (J-DR Model). In phase one, participants were drawn from a cross section from novice to experienced academics. 50% of participants reported low levels of burnout, whilst the other 50% reported either moderate or high levels of burnout. Out of these 50% who experienced burnout about 20% of respondents experienced a high-level of burnout. Similarly, 50% of the participants experienced low levels of job satisfaction and this correlated significantly with high levels of the total burnout scores (r = -0.56). Within the qualitative component, the main themes included a lack of work life balance, incivility towards staff, increasing workloads, challenging students, lack of recognition, negative workplace culture, lack of awareness of the importance of political astuteness, and lack of leadership skills and difficulty with retention of newly appointed staff. Many participants also expressed being threatened, felling intimidated, and unfairly treated coupled with facing personalities who were driven by power struggles. Overall, there appeared to be a sense of powerlessness, that participants were relatively powerless and unable to change their lot. Although personal resilience provided a buffering effect for some of the participants and acted as a protective factor against stress and burnout it is not well understood. This research study contributes to the ongoing body of work on the experiences of nurse academics globally and gives a further insight and understanding of the personal experiences of occupational stress and burnout among Australian nurse academics. However, a few potential limitations to this study should be noted. The study sample was only selected from within Australian universities which may limit the global generalisation of the findings and it was undertaken at an only one time point. Occupational stress leading to burnout is still considered an important factor and predictor of job satisfaction and intention to leave among Australian nurse academics. Effective mentoring and leadership styles that promote a nurturing work environment, a sense of belonging, being valued, heard, and recognised, are areas of priority. Strategies and policies should be revised for greater inclusiveness, academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and a better work-life balance. Further work is needed that examines the specific types of support systems that nurse leaders could initiate to reduce job stress leading to burnout. Ongoing evaluation is crucial to ensure the appropriateness, efficacy, and effectiveness of the support systems. The findings have important global implications in terms of recruitment and retention of nurse academic.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Work experiences of nurse academics : a qualitative study
- Singh, Charanjit, Jackson, Debra, Munro, Ian, Cross, Wendy
- Authors: Singh, Charanjit , Jackson, Debra , Munro, Ian , Cross, Wendy
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nurse Education Today Vol. 106, no. (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: The evidence suggests that heavy workloads, pressure to publish, lack of recognition and job insecurity has led to increased job stress among nurse academics. Lack of proper mentoring, reorientation and transition into an academic role are contributory factors towards the lack of retention and recruitment among nurse academics. Internationally, the sustainability of the nurse academic workforce is an area of great concern. The experiences of nurse academics have not been extensively investigated. Objectives: To explore the work experiences of nurse academics. Design: Qualitative Exploratory study. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants: A purposive sample of nurse academics (n = 19), recruited from all states and territories of Australia, lecturer to professor level and work experiences from 2 to 30 years. Methods: Data were collected using semi-structured face to face and telephone interviews. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed based upon Braun & Clark's model. The study is reported in accordance with the COREQ guidelines. Ethical approval was granted by the relevant University Human Research Ethics Committee. Results: Four main themes were identified (a) Helping students achieve, finding satisfaction through student engagement, (b) working with challenging students, (c) increased workloads, lack of support and resources and (d) difficulty with retention of newly appointed staff. Conclusions: Although the findings highlighted the interactions with nursing students were a positive experience, many of the participants raised great concern about the challenging, difficult, academically weak, rude, and manipulative students. The growing workload increased non-academic administrative work, and the inability to sustain newly appointed staff were areas of great concern. Doing more with less and not being recognized were pertinent factors that needed to be addressed. © 2021
- Authors: Singh, Charanjit , Jackson, Debra , Munro, Ian , Cross, Wendy
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nurse Education Today Vol. 106, no. (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: The evidence suggests that heavy workloads, pressure to publish, lack of recognition and job insecurity has led to increased job stress among nurse academics. Lack of proper mentoring, reorientation and transition into an academic role are contributory factors towards the lack of retention and recruitment among nurse academics. Internationally, the sustainability of the nurse academic workforce is an area of great concern. The experiences of nurse academics have not been extensively investigated. Objectives: To explore the work experiences of nurse academics. Design: Qualitative Exploratory study. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants: A purposive sample of nurse academics (n = 19), recruited from all states and territories of Australia, lecturer to professor level and work experiences from 2 to 30 years. Methods: Data were collected using semi-structured face to face and telephone interviews. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed based upon Braun & Clark's model. The study is reported in accordance with the COREQ guidelines. Ethical approval was granted by the relevant University Human Research Ethics Committee. Results: Four main themes were identified (a) Helping students achieve, finding satisfaction through student engagement, (b) working with challenging students, (c) increased workloads, lack of support and resources and (d) difficulty with retention of newly appointed staff. Conclusions: Although the findings highlighted the interactions with nursing students were a positive experience, many of the participants raised great concern about the challenging, difficult, academically weak, rude, and manipulative students. The growing workload increased non-academic administrative work, and the inability to sustain newly appointed staff were areas of great concern. Doing more with less and not being recognized were pertinent factors that needed to be addressed. © 2021
Job experiences, challenges, revelations and narratives of nurse academics . a qualitative study
- Singh, Charanjit, Jackson, Debra, Munro, Ian, Cross, Wendy
- Authors: Singh, Charanjit , Jackson, Debra , Munro, Ian , Cross, Wendy
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Advanced Nursing Vol. 78, no. 8 (2022), p. 2622-2633
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Aim: To explore the views and experiences of nurse academics about their professional work life. Design: A qualitative exploratory interview study. Methods: Data were collected during 2018/2019 using a semi-structured interview method with 19 experienced academic nurses from a range of academic levels in Australia. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using a narrative approach. Ethics approval was granted by the relevant University Human Research Ethics Committee. Results: Participants provided detailed insights into the type of daily job stressors they faced. They shared narratives about their personal job experiences and how, at times, they chose to remain silent to maintain a cordial working relationship with some of their senior colleagues and leaders. The main themes were identified included a lack of work–life balance, incivility towards staff, increasing workloads and inequitable distribution, lack of recognition, negative workplace culture, lack of awareness of the importance of political astuteness and lack of leadership skills. Conclusion: To ensure a sustainable academic nursing workforce and provide a clearer understanding of job stress and what contributes to faculty decision to leave, areas of priority and strategies that needed attention were identified. These included effective mentoring of less-experienced staff and leadership styles that promote greater inclusiveness, being heard, valued and recognized, improved work–life balance and the need to have a sense of belonging. Impact: The study explored the job experiences of nurse academics and identified occupational stressors that directly influenced their daily work life. The findings have global implications for the recruitment and sustainability of nurse academics. This also impacts on their professional and work–life balance. © 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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