From passion to pressure: Unveiling nurse leader burnout.

BACKGROUND

Nurse leader burnout has intensified due to increasing operational demands, workforce shortages, and prolonged stressors amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding contributors to burnout and protective factors is essential to sustaining leadership capacity and workforce stability.

PURPOSE: This article examines the prevalence, drivers, and outcomes of burnout among nurse leaders and explores changes in well-being, job satisfaction, and work-related stress over time.

METHODS

A repeated cross-sectional survey was administered to members of the Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing in 2020, 2022, and 2024. The survey incorporated items from the Mini Z burnout tool and the Maslach Burnout Inventory, along with demographic and open-ended questions. Descriptive and comparative analyses were used to evaluate trends.

RESULTS

Across 295 responses, nurse leaders reported improvements in job satisfaction, autonomy, and perceived time adequacy. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization decreased over time; however, reports of workplace stress increased. Work-life balance and meaningful work consistently emerged as key factors for thriving.

CONCLUSION

Although indicators of burnout have improved, persistent and rising stress highlights the need for sustained organizational and individual interventions. Ongoing investment in support, autonomy, and well-being strategies is critical to nurse leader resilience and retention.