The Correlation of Perceived Stress and Burnout With Job Satisfaction Among Intensive Care Nurses: Evidence From East Jerusalem Hospitals.

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the essential role Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses play in healthcare delivery in East Jerusalem, limited research has explored how perceived stress and burnout impact their job satisfaction within this uniquely complex and demanding context.

Objective: This research investigated the correlation of perceived stress and burnout with job satisfaction among ICU nurses in East Jerusalem.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was used, involving a convenience sample of 195 ICU nurses from all hospitals in East Jerusalem. Data were collected between May and July 2024 using a paper-based self-reported survey comprising the following instruments: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Mueller-McCloskey Nurse Job Satisfaction Scale (MMSS-25), and a socio-demographic questionnaire.

Results: Participants reported moderate perceived stress (M = 17.19, SD = 5.62), High levels of emotional exhaustion (M = 30.39, SD = 11.75) and depersonalization (M = 12.38, SD = 4.49), and low personal accomplishment (M = 18.64, SD =8.34). Additionally, they reported low job satisfaction (M = 2.9, SD = 0.73). Significant negative correlations were found between job satisfaction and perceived stress (r =-0.482, p <.001), emotional exhaustion (r =-0.322, p <.001), and number of patients for whom the nurse was directly responsible per shift (r =-0.209, p <.01). In contrast, job satisfaction had a positive correlation with personal accomplishment (r = 0.429, p <.001) and monthly income (r =0.163, p <.05). Perceived stress (β=-0.315, p<.001) and personal accomplishment (β=0.206, p<.01) were predictors for job satisfaction.

Conclusion: The findings support the importance of targeted interventions to improve ICU nurses' job satisfaction. These include stress management support, fair compensation, manageable workloads, and opportunities for professional growth in high-pressure, resource-limited environments. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to using cross-sectional design and convenience sampling, which limit causal inference and generalizability.