FACTORS AFFECTING ACADEMIC BURNOUT AMONG BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (BSN) STUDENTS AT SUPERIOR UNIVERSITY, LAHORE, PAKISTAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting academic burnout among Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students at Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan.

Methodology: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 105 BSN students at the Department of Nursing, Superior University, Lahore. Proportionate stratified sampling was used to obtain representation across academic levels. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, academic factors, clinical factors, lifestyle and personal factors, social and financial factors, and academic burnout. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation analysis were used to examine associations between selected factors and academic burnout. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The overall academic burnout score was 3.54 ± 0.68 on a five-point scale. Academic factors had the highest mean score (3.62 ± 0.74), followed by clinical factors (3.41 ± 0.81), lifestyle/personal factors (3.28 ± 0.69), and social/financial factors (3.15 ± 0.77). Academic factors showed a strong positive correlation with overall burnout (r = .684, p < .001), while clinical factors also demonstrated a significant positive correlation (r = .612, p < .001). Female students had significantly higher burnout scores than male students (t(99) = -2.482, p = .015). Employed students also had significantly higher burnout scores than unemployed students (t(103) = 2.614, p = .010). Burnout differed significantly according to sleep duration (F(3,101) = 8.412, p < .001), with higher burnout among students reporting shorter sleep duration.

Conclusion: Academic burnout was prevalent among the BSN students studied. Academic workload and clinical demands showed the strongest relationships with overall burnout, while sleep duration, gender, and employment status were also significantly associated with burnout. Institutional strategies addressing academic workload, clinical scheduling, student support, sleep, and work-study balance may help reduce academic burnout among nursing students.