Stress and Burnout in Forensic Community Mental Health Nurses: an Investigation of its Causes and Effects

This study identified & surveyed all forensic community mental health nurses in England & Wales (n=104) who were attached to NHS Medium Secure Units using measures of occupational stress. A response rate of 76.9% was achieved. Findings showed that a substantial portion (44.3%) of respondents were experiencing high burnout in relation to emotional exhaustion. Dealing with violent patients did not feature in the top 10 stressors, although dealing with suicidal patients did. Further research in the field of occupational stress is indicated. (50 refs.)