Title

A CASE STUDY OF BURNOUT IN A HIGHLY DEMANDING WORK ENVIRONMENT OF INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU) NURSES

Author(s)

MELMIDA, RHEUBIE S.

PAMA, PEARL GRACE T.

Affiliation

Misamis University

Degree Program

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Contributor

Tabanao, Rojaida S.

Taghoy, Sammy B.

Duyag, Merasol O.

Go, Maebil Marie B.

Year

2025

Abstract

Burnout among healthcare professionals, particularly nurses in intensive care units (ICUs), has become a significant global concern. ICU nurses constantly operate in high-stakes environments, facing emotionally and physically demanding conditions such as prolonged work hours, high patient acuity, and staff shortages. The study aimed to examine the encountered experiences of ICU nurses regarding their work environment and identify environmental factors that contribute to or help mitigate Burnout. Anchored in a qualitative case study design, this research utilized Yin's (2018) method of analysis. The study was conducted in a hospital in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, involving eight ICU nurses who were purposely selected and met specific inclusion criteria. The study was guided by Maslach's Burnout Theory, which frames Burnout as a multidimensional condition characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Additionally, Roy's Adaptation Model offers a theoretical framework for understanding how nurses respond to and adapt to environmental stressors, highlighting the importance of coping and resilience. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed thematically through coding and pattern recognition. The findings revealed that ICU nurses experience high levels of stress due to the intense nature of their environment, compounded by inadequate staffing, resource limitations, and emotional overload. Despite these challenges, nurses employed various coping mechanisms such as family and peer support, engaging in personal routines (e.g., exercise, hobbies), and practicing mental distance to sustain their resilience.

Keywords

burnout, coping strategies, ICU nurses, nurse wellbeing, resilience, work environment