Date of Award
Summer 2026
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
College
College of Science and Health
First Advisor
Roxanne Spurlark
Abstract
Background: The emergency department (ED) is a high-stakes clinical environment marked by unpredictable acuity, rapid decision-making, and heavy workloads. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are increasingly vital to ED care teams yet face considerable emotional and psychological stressors. Limited research has examined how workplace factors influence NP resilience, burnout, and job satisfaction. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess levels of burnout, resilience, and job satisfaction of NPs working in EDs and trauma settings and examine contributing workplace factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was administered to NPs employed in EDs and trauma. Participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale. A total of 16 NPs participated. Results: Descriptive and comparative analyses revealed moderate overall resilience levels among participants. Higher emotional exhaustion was associated with increased workplace stressors, while positive perception of teamwork, leadership support, and role clarity were significantly correlated with higher resilience and job satisfaction scores. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that workplace environment plays a significant role in NP burnout and job satisfaction in emergency and trauma settings. Enhancing teamwork, leadership support, and role clarity may improve burnout rates, resilience, and job satisfaction, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes in high-pressure clinical environments. Implications: Healthcare organizations should prioritize interventions that strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and promote supportive leadership practices. Targeted burnout prevention strategies may improve workforce sustainability and quality of care in emergency settings. Keywords: Nurse Practitioner, Emergency Department, Resilience, Burnout, Workplace Environment, Job Satisfaction
Copyright
Copyright © 2026 Alyssa Kondratiuk
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Kondratiuk, Alyssa, "Critical Care, Critical Roles: How Workplace Factors Shape Nurse Practitioner Burnout in the Emergency Department" (2026). Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University. 98.
https://via.library.depaul.edu/theses-dissertations/98