Abstract
Introduction: A Meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies showed that nurse staffing is associated with nurses’ burnout, dissatisfaction, and intent to leave (Shin, 2018). Although these results suggest that staffing improvements would positively affect nurse job outcomes, there is little evidence that captures measures of change. In Chile, before the pandemic, the average patients per nurse assignment was 14 in med-surgical units (Aiken, 2021). During the pandemic, the government allocated resources to improve staffing.
Purpose: To compare pre- and post-pandemic nurse staffing measures in Chilean hospitals and to analyze the effect of these changes on nurses' post-pandemic burnout, dissatisfaction, and intent to leave their jobs.
Methods: Observational, analytical study of repeated cross-sectional measures in the years 2018 and 2023, of public hospitals with more than 150 beds in Chile (n=48). Data was collected through a nurse survey, prior informed consent. Variables of interest: change in staffing (difference in average patients per nurse between 2018 and 2023), burnout score (Maslach's Burnout Inventory), intention to leave, and dissatisfaction. Difference-in-Differences analyses were performed, controlling for baseline 2018 values in nurse outcomes. Linear regression models were used, with 95% confidence, α = 0.05.
Results: 32 hospitals (67%) participated. Between 2018 and 2023, 31 hospitals (97%) improved their staffing, with an average decrease of 4.3 patients per nurse across hospitals. The average burnout score increased from 22.9 to 26.2, intention to leave the job from 32% to 42%, and dissatisfaction from 22.5 to 27.9%. The decrease in patient assignment was significantly associated with burnout scores, dissatisfaction, and intention to leave the job in 2023 (β = 0.42, p = 0.038; β = 0.013, p = 0.01; β = 0.015, p = 0.026, respectively).
Conclusion: After the pandemic, more nurses in Chilean hospitals are burned out, dissatisfied, and want to leave their job. The improvement in staffing did not completely counteract the effect of work overload caused by the pandemic, but the greater the improvement in staffing, the smaller the negative impact of the pandemic on nurse outcomes. A new study, after more years have passed, is likely to fully show the effect of improved staffing on nurse outcomes.
Notes
References:
Aiken, L. H., Simonetti, M., Sloane, D. M., Cerón, C., Soto, P., Bravo, D., ... & Lake, E. T. (2021). Hospital nurse staffing and patient outcomes in Chile: a multilevel cross-sectional study. The Lancet Global Health, 9(8), e1145-e1153.
Shin, S., Park, J. H., & Bae, S. H. (2018). Nurse staffing and nurse outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nursing outlook, 66(3), 273–282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2017.12.002
Sigma Membership
Alpha Beta Omicron
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Meta-Analysis/Synthesis
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Workforce, Staffing, Policy Advocacy, Leadership Initiatives, Chile
Recommended Citation
Simonetti, Marta and Galiano, Alejandra, "Effect of Post-Pandemic Nurse Staffing Improvements on Nurse Job Outcomes in Chilean Public Hospitals" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 243.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/243
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Effect of Post-Pandemic Nurse Staffing Improvements on Nurse Job Outcomes in Chilean Public Hospitals
Seattle, Washington, USA
Introduction: A Meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies showed that nurse staffing is associated with nurses’ burnout, dissatisfaction, and intent to leave (Shin, 2018). Although these results suggest that staffing improvements would positively affect nurse job outcomes, there is little evidence that captures measures of change. In Chile, before the pandemic, the average patients per nurse assignment was 14 in med-surgical units (Aiken, 2021). During the pandemic, the government allocated resources to improve staffing.
Purpose: To compare pre- and post-pandemic nurse staffing measures in Chilean hospitals and to analyze the effect of these changes on nurses' post-pandemic burnout, dissatisfaction, and intent to leave their jobs.
Methods: Observational, analytical study of repeated cross-sectional measures in the years 2018 and 2023, of public hospitals with more than 150 beds in Chile (n=48). Data was collected through a nurse survey, prior informed consent. Variables of interest: change in staffing (difference in average patients per nurse between 2018 and 2023), burnout score (Maslach's Burnout Inventory), intention to leave, and dissatisfaction. Difference-in-Differences analyses were performed, controlling for baseline 2018 values in nurse outcomes. Linear regression models were used, with 95% confidence, α = 0.05.
Results: 32 hospitals (67%) participated. Between 2018 and 2023, 31 hospitals (97%) improved their staffing, with an average decrease of 4.3 patients per nurse across hospitals. The average burnout score increased from 22.9 to 26.2, intention to leave the job from 32% to 42%, and dissatisfaction from 22.5 to 27.9%. The decrease in patient assignment was significantly associated with burnout scores, dissatisfaction, and intention to leave the job in 2023 (β = 0.42, p = 0.038; β = 0.013, p = 0.01; β = 0.015, p = 0.026, respectively).
Conclusion: After the pandemic, more nurses in Chilean hospitals are burned out, dissatisfied, and want to leave their job. The improvement in staffing did not completely counteract the effect of work overload caused by the pandemic, but the greater the improvement in staffing, the smaller the negative impact of the pandemic on nurse outcomes. A new study, after more years have passed, is likely to fully show the effect of improved staffing on nurse outcomes.
Description
Most evidence analysing the association between nurse staffing and job outcomes comes from cross-sectional studies. Few studies have shown the effect of staffing changes on these outcomes. In Chile, during the pandemic, the government allocated resources to improve nurse staffing. Comparing pre- and post-pandemic measures, most Chilean hospitals have better staffing now. This study shows how staffing improvements partially counteracted the negative effect of the pandemic on nurse outcomes.