The Effect of the Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy in a Nurse’s Burnout and Intention to Resign

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to decrease burnout and intention to resign by practicing cognitive behavioral approach to nurses of the 3 years nursing clinical experience. Methods: Nurses (N = 180) who worked at acute-care hospitals and whose clinical experience was 3 years were requested. Nurses (n = 95, male 5, female 90) who were able to do participation at all the sessions were objects. The program was created and carried out for a nurse’s burnout with reference to cognitive behavior therapy. Evaluation of intervention was asked to complete a questionnaire that measured burnout (MBI), job stressors (NJSS), automatic thoughts (the shorter version of Japanese version ATQ-R), Irrational Belief Test for Nurses (IBTN), coping measure and whether or not they had an intention to resign. Measurement was performed 3 times of a baseline, after the end of session and follow-up. Analysis of covariance which adjusted the baseline level was performed. Result: According to the results, “helplessness”, “positive thinking” and “personal accomplishment” were significant (p < 0.01). According to the results of Friedman test, significant difference was observed in “emotional exhaustion” in the group with low degree of irrational belief (p < 0.10 ) and in the group with high degree (p < 0.05). With regard to the intention to leave the job, “wants to continue working as a nurse” was significant in the group in 3 months after intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It is suggested that cognitive behavioral approach appears to be effective for reducing nurse’s burnout or intention to resign in nurses of the 3 years nursing clinical experience.