Investigation of Workplace Stress and Burnout Among Nurses in Tertiary Hospitals in Kano State

Nurse burnout in Nigerian tertiary hospitals adversely affects patient safety, workforce retention, and quality of care delivery, and its occupational determinants in the high-patient-volume context of northern Nigerian hospitals have received limited research attention. This study investigated workplace stress levels and burnout among nurses at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 200 nurses drawn by stratified random sampling across medical, surgical, paediatric, and obstetric wards. Workplace stress was assessed using the Nursing Stress Scale, and burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory for Human Services professionals. A structured questionnaire collected sociodemographic and occupational data. Results showed high occupational stress levels in 62.0 percent of respondents and burnout (defined as high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalisation, and low personal accomplishment) in 38.5 percent. Emotional exhaustion was the most prevalent burnout dimension (52.5 percent). High patient-to-nurse ratios, mandatory overtime, and inadequate staffing support were the primary stress sources. Nurses on night shifts had significantly higher burnout scores (p < 0.001). Work experience above ten years was associated with higher personal accomplishment scores but also higher depersonalisation. The study recommends a formal occupational health programme for nursing staff, improved nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, access to peer support groups, and confidential employee assistance programmes in Kano State tertiary hospitals. Keywords: nurse burnout, workplace stress, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Kano State, North West Nigeria