The prevalence and organizational causes of burnout among nursing homes' minority registered nurses.

PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence and organizational factors causing burnout among nursing homes' minority registered nurses compared to White nurses. BACKGROUND: There is an ongoing increase in the growth rate of the older adult population that necessitates increased care by registered nurses (RNs). Burnout has major adverse health consequences for nurses and older adults and significantly challenges nurses' retention, particularly in nursing homes. METHODS/DESIGN: Using a descriptive correlational design, data were collected from a convenience sample of nursing homes' RNs. Variables were measured with Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index and analyzed using linear regression and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: Among the minority groups, 78%, 67%, 33%, and 50% Black/African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanics, and Native Americans experienced emotional exhaustion and low personal achievement at 83%, 77%, 83%, and 100% among them respectively. Altogether, 67.5%, 67.5%, and 82.5% minority RNs experienced burnout on the three subscales. Linear regression models were significant for all organizational factors causing burnout: F(5,30) = 3.27, p = .018, R2 = .35 (emotional exhaustion); F(5,29) = 3.63, p = .011, R2 = .38 (depersonalization); and F(5,30) = 5.06, p = .002, R2 = .46 (personal achievement) among the minorities. Factors were different for the White RNs. CONCLUSION: Burnout highly affected nursing homes' minority RNs. All organizational factors explained burnout in minority RNs while two factors explained burnout in the Whites. Development of policy that ensures conducive organizational factors would promote the well-being of these nurses and older adults.