Burnout During Residency

A Thematic Analysis of Stressors, Coping, and Organisational Challenges Among Nursing Residents

Bibliographic Data

ID15736725
AuthorsMacarena Chacón-Docampo (0000-0002-0220-9655, University Hospital Complex Of Vigo), Ángela Asensio-Martínez (0000-0001-5208-7556, Universidad de Zaragoza), David Liñares (0000-0003-4751-241X, Agència de Qualitat i Avaluació Sanitàries de Catalunya), Luis-J Márquez-Álvarez (0000-0003-0288-8851, Universidade da Coruña, corresponding author), M Perez Barbeito (University Hospital Complex Of Vigo), Marina Feijoo Barbeito (Psychiatric Hospitalization Unit, Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital, SERGAS, Vigo, Spain), Alejandro Clavería (0000-0001-9552-1260, Galicia Sur Biomedical Foundation)
Year2026
Volume13
Pages23333936261426859-23333936261426859
Publication date2026-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Qualitative Nursing Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2333-3936 • E-ISSN: 2333-3936
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/23333936261426859
PMID41816608
OpenAlexW7134897941
LanguageEN
References cited48

Burnout is a pervasive challenge among healthcare professionals in training, with significant implications for both well-being and quality of care. This qualitative study, using a phenomenological design, explored the experiences of nursing residents regarding sources of stress, coping strategies, and organisational challenges, and how these factors contribute to the development of burnout. Three focus groups were conducted with 24 nursing residents. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five themes were constructed: peer solidarity as a protective shield, navigating institutional abandonment, the crushing weight of unmanaged demands, the "lottery of learning," and the sacrifice of personal identity. Participants described residency as a demanding and disorganised stage, characterised by heavy workloads, inconsistent educational opportunities, and scarce institutional support. These conditions fostered emotional exhaustion and frustration, but peer networks were identified as a crucial protective factor, providing informal learning, solidarity, and resilience. The findings highlight the need for organisational reform in residency programmes, including greater educational equity, improved leadership, and spaces for dialogue and mentoring. Recognising the role of peer support alongside institutional responsibility can contribute to building more humane, sustainable, and ethically grounded training environments

Burnout · Content analysis · MEDLINE · Qualitative research · Thematic analysis · Health and Well-being Studies · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Nursing education and management

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