Antecedents of burnout and turnover intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic in critical care nurses: A mediation study

Background: Nurses working in critical care environments have experienced a great deal of psychological stress during the successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying factors which contribute to burnout and turnover intentions are important to retain intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify factors that are directly and indirectly associated with burnout and turnover intentions in ICU nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with survey data during the peak of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through an online survey and analyzed using mediation analysis. A total of 236 ICU nurses across Canada participated in the study. Results: The results indicate that burnout mediates the relationship between moral distress, organizational support, resilience, and turnover intentions. Moreover, 49% of the participants were considering leaving. The reasons were related to lack of administrative support, poor work environment and safety concerns. Discussion: Organizational support and individual resilience can both play a role in turnover intentions through the prevention of burnout symptoms. Managers at all levels play an important role in mitigating the harmful effects of the pandemic. Conclusion: The pandemic has had a serious psychological impact on ICU nurses. Targeted interventions are needed to support this group.