HIDDEN CHALLENGES OF BURNOUT SYNDROME IN NURSING PROFESSIONALS IN BRAZIL: RISK FACTORS AND IMPACTS – AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW (RIL)

Abstract

Burnout Syndrome (BS) is a psychological condition associated with chronic occupational stress, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal fulfillment, which mainly affects health professionals. Nursing, because it involves a high degree of direct contact with patients and stressful situations, becomes one of the areas most susceptible to the development of this syndrome. This study aims to identify the scientific evidence available in the national literature, from 2019 to 2023, on the risk factors and impacts of Burnout Syndrome on nursing professionals in Brazil. This is an integrative literature review (RIL) followed by the PEO protocol (population, phenomenon of interest and results) carried out from August to December 2024 in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) based on the following descriptors in Health Sciences (DeCs): "Psychological Exhaustion", "Occupational Stress", "Nursing Professionals" and "Population at Risk", with a final sample of 15 articles. The results show that factors such as work overload, lack of emotional support, inadequate organizational conditions and lack of professional recognition are significant for the development of BS among nursing professionals. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated these conditions, further exposing professionals to an excessive workload, stress, and risk of developing the syndrome. The impacts of this condition transcend mental health, also compromising the quality of care provided to patients and negatively affecting organizational dynamics. It is concluded that the early recognition of risk factors and the implementation of psychological support strategies, as well as the improvement of working conditions to prevent the onset of BS.