Comparison of Stress and Job Burnout of Nurses in the Wards of Patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 in Aja Affiliated Hospitals

Background and Aim: Job burnout is one of the major unavoidable consequences of job stress. Nurses experience the most occupational stress due to job problems and difficult working conditions and are exposed to high job burnout. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare stress and job burnout in nurses in the wards of patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. Methods: This research is a cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study that was conducted in 1400. Its statistical population included caring nurses in the wards of patients with COVID-19 and non- COVID-19 patients in Aja affiliated hospitals in Tehran. A total of 96 nurses were selected as the research sample. The data were collected using the demographic information form and HSE (Health and Safety Executive) occupational stress and burnout questionnaires of Copenhagen and were analyzed using the SPSS.v25 software, descriptive and inferential statistics, and independent t-test. Results: The results of the independent t-test showed that there is a significant difference between the burnout dimensions of the two groups of nurses, and in nurses, the wards of patients with COVID-19 were higher than the wards of non-COVID-19 patients (P=0.03). The results of the independent t-test did not show any significant difference between the work-stress dimensions of the two groups. The results of Pearson's correlation test in non-COVID-19 patient’s departments, between nurses' burnout with role dimension (r=0.03) and demand dimension (r=0.02) and between burnout with patients and control dimension (r=0.004) and the demand dimension (r=0.007) was significant. In the wards of patients with COVID-19, the Pearson test results showed a significant difference between personal burnout and the demand dimension (r=0.01). Conclusion: Considering the importance of work environment tensions and their effect on nurses' burnout, it is suggested that the authorities should plan appropriately to reduce the factors of nurses' burnout via psychotherapy consultations, holding programs Fun and morale-giving, reducing consecutive shifts, improving work-rest cycles, and providing motivational items.