Purpose: The extended scope of practice and responsibility in the complex cancer context increases the risk of burnout and decreases the performance and well-being of advanced practice cancer nurses (APCNs). This study explored burnout and work engagement in APCNs in Australia.
Sample and setting: 122 APCNs across Australia.
Methods: A cross-sectional online survey comprised the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ III), the Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI), and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). Structural equation modelling analysis tested relationships between job demands, job resources, negative outcomes, positive outcomes, burnout and work engagement in the hypothesised model.
Results: For burnout, the majority of participants reported moderate to high levels of emotional exhaustion (78.7%), personal accomplishment (78.7%), and low depersonalisation (73%). Work engagement indicated moderate to high dedication (86.9%) and absorption (94.3%), while nearly half (49.2%) experienced moderate to high levels of vigour. Job demands and job resources significantly predicted burnout (β = .77, 90% CI [.61, .90]) and work engagement (β = .46, 90% CI [.20, .65]), respectively. Burnout fully mediated the relationship between job demands and outcomes (indirect effect: β = -.55, 90% CI [-.73, -.35]). Work engagement partially mediated the relationship between job resources and outcomes, demonstrating both statistically significant direct (β = .35, 90% CI [.15, .52]) and indirect (β = .34, 90% CI [.22, .50]) effects.
Conclusion and clinical implications: Burnout and work engagement of ACPNs are influenced by job demands and job resources in the work environment. ACPNs are highly engaged despite the high emotional exhaustion. Targeted interventions for mitigating burnout and enhancing work engagement are needed to improve the performance and well-being of ACPNs.
Keywords: Advanced practice cancer nurses; burnout; job demands; job resources; work engagement