Predictors of Professional Burnout Among Critical Care Nurses During Systemic Workforce Shortages

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 60–68

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000139

Original Research Article

Title: Predictors of Professional Burnout Among Critical Care Nurses During Systemic Workforce Shortages

Names of Authors: Zanele T. Ndlovu¹, Kofi A. Mensah²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Nursing Science, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
²School of Nursing, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

Abstract:
Severe nursing deficits across intensive care units have dramatically escalated occupational stress, undermining patient safety margins and worker retention. This multi-site quantitative study investigated the institutional, structural, and personal predictors of professional burnout among specialized critical care nurses. A total of 155 full-time intensive care nurses across four tertiary referral centers completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) alongside the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index. Multiple linear regression analyses were executed to isolate standalone indicators. The baseline analysis revealed that 56.8% of the cohort met the clinical criteria for severe emotional exhaustion. The regression models demonstrated that working single shifts longer than 12 hours (beta = 0.44, p < 0.001), managing nurse-to-patient ratios exceeding 1:3 (beta = 0.36, p = 0.002), and perceived low administrative support (beta = -0.28, p = 0.005) were powerful predictors of severe burnout indices. Personal demographic variables including age, marital status, and years of experience did not moderate the burnout severity. The study underscores that critical care burnout is primarily driven by toxic workspace metrics and extreme patient care demands rather than personal vulnerabilities. Hospital management must prioritize mandatory staffing maximums, structured shift breaks, and accessible mental health support programs to retain fragile critical care human resources.

Keywords: Critical Care Nursing; Professional Burnout; Workforce Shortages; Emotional Exhaustion; Patient Safety; Health Administration.

Manuscript Timeline: Received May 20, 2026; Revised July 05, 2026; Accepted July 21, 2026; Published August 14, 2026.

Citation: Ndlovu, Z. T., & Mensah, K. A. (2026). Predictors of Professional Burnout Among Critical Care Nurses During Systemic Workforce Shortages. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(8), 60–68.

Subscribe to read the full article: https://mail.internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read