BURNOUT IN NURSING STAFF AMIDST COVID-19

Abstract

Burnout syndrome intensified significantly among nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the abrupt increase in care demands, emotional overload, and unfavorable working conditions. Given this scenario, it becomes necessary to understand how stressors increased the risk of mental illness and how these impacts affected the quality of life of these professionals. The general objective of this study is to analyze the factors related to the occurrence of burnout in nursing during the pandemic, considering the psychological, occupational, and institutional effects involved in the process. This is a qualitative literature review, conducted through a systematic search in the SciELO and BVS databases and health-related journals, using the descriptors Burnout, Nursing, Occupational Health, and COVID-19. The results demonstrated that work overload, resource scarcity, fear of contamination, and exposure to high mortality rates contributed to high levels of emotional exhaustion. These impacts affected mental health, manifesting as anxiety, sleep disorders, depressive symptoms, and impaired personal and professional relationships. The analysis highlighted the need for sustained institutional strategies, such as psychosocial support, reorganization of schedules, efficient communication, and encouragement of self-care. It is concluded that strengthening worker health policies is essential to prevent burnout and promote safer and healthier work environments.