Highly Sensitive People in Nursing: Stress & Burnout - Research

Highly Sensitive People make up roughly 20% of any given population. Given this group is more sensitive to internal and external stimuli, those that are highly sensitive might consider how this could affect their work as a nurse. My study aims to offer some insight into this question. Nurses General Nursing Article

I'm an RN and am wondering if anyone would be willing to help me with my graduate thesis by taking my online survey. It is on stress and burnout in nursing, and I am researching some newer aspects of personality and cognition. I would really appreciate it! Everything will be kept anonymous and confidential.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete, and you need to be a practicing RN, LVN or LPN within the U.S. The number of times allowed for survey participation is one. Thank you all for your help! I have included a more formal description of my study below, but if you would like to go ahead and take the survey, here is the link:

https://angelo.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3m9RwEJMiAcG5BX

Highly Sensitive People

To date, Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) have never been researched within the context of nursing stress and burnout, or even nursing in general. Although this is true, Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), the temperamental trait that characterizes one as a Highly Sensitive Person, has only existed since 1997, and more widespread research on the construct did not begin until several years later. This refers to this particular construct, which is specifically defined within the literature. HSPs make up roughly 20% of any given population (Aron, 2012). This group can become more overwhelmed by internal and external stimuli, which stems from certain physiological processes within the brain. Examples of these stimuli are loud noises, too much social or emotional stimuli, or stimuli from the moods of others, strong smells, bright lights or new or changing situations (Aron & Aron, 1997; Acevedo et al., 2014). When overwhelmed, those with the trait of SPS can experience heightened levels of both stress and burnout at work.

Stress in Nursing

In addition, the nursing profession has been ranked by the US National Institute as one of the top 40 most stressful careers to have (Heim, 1991). Out of a study among physicians, pharmacists and nurses, Wolfgang (1988) found that nurses ranked the highest in stress levels by a significant degree. Also, research by the American Nurses Association (ANA) revealed that nurses ranked being overworked and the effects of stress as the most serious concerns in their profession, which has not changed in nearly a decade (Roberts & Grubb, 2013).

Burnout in Nursing

According to one study, burnout accounted for the largest explanation in mental health as well as physical health disparities of nurses (Maria, 2012). Cooper, Dewe & O'Driscoll (2001) describe burnout as the result of being exposed to stressful working circumstances for a protracted period of time, reflecting a state of both emotional and physical exhaustion. Burnout is divided into three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and low personal accomplishment (Renzi et al., 2012).

Lastly, knowing that both HSPs and nurses are affected by stress and burnout, I believe this research is vital. Although different forms of sensitivity have been measured in the past in different ways, these previous tools did not measure what we know it today to represent, which includes a more defined set of criteria. We are still lacking insight into things that lead to stress and burnout (other than work-related causes) in some of our most vulnerable populations, such as nursing. Therefore, my goal with this research is to find more answers concerning the backbone of the healthcare industry: nurses!

Thank you for reading! When my thesis has been completed, I will post the conclusions of the study for you all to see, most likely under the same title. If you are interested in my thesis research survey, here is the link again:

http://angelo.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3m9RwEJMiAcG5BX

Hi 37changes, thanks for writing. What a timely thing to do before you decide where to work! You should get great information out of that (by E. Aron)! There are great things about being highly sensitive too, I just couldn't include both in my study. Maybe one day. Congratulations on graduating, and good luck.

I didn't take the survey because I'm an student RN at this point. But I have a question- how do you know if you are a "highly sensitive person?" I suspect I am and nursing probably draws quite a few empathetic types.

Specializes in LTC.
I didn't take the survey because I'm an student RN at this point. But I have a question- how do you know if you are a "highly sensitive person?" I suspect I am and nursing probably draws quite a few empathetic types.

If you go to the Amazon page for the HSP book by Anon, there is a list right there on the product page, from the book.

I'm reading it now & having to tear myself away from it to do, you know, the Thanksgiving things! ;)

OP, I want to thank you again for this thread. Yes, I see myself in some of this ... but OH do I see my middle son (14). Reading this book is going to be super helpful in understanding him.

HI Luchador, there is also a self-test at hsperson.com, if you are interested. Thank you for your reply.

Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
I am not sure why a highly sensitive person would consider nursing????

^^ This is exactly why I think this survey is a terrible idea. It's another way of justifying the flawed thinking that "sensitive people shouldn't work in nursing."

Specializes in ED, ICU, Prehospital.
I participated.

I dearly hope, though, that some day we will turn our attention more to the environment and its specific factors, rather than continually and incessantly focusing on nurses and our coping or purported lack thereof. Exceedingly few people thrive in the type of environments that many healthcare environments have become for staff nurses in recent years. Thousands+ of nurses are not "burned out" (if so, the concept itself should be more closely examined/questioned, IMO) and our frequent discussion about burnout have not led to positive changes in the environment.

Signed,

Debbie D. ;)

Much better said than I was formulating.

This survey slides by me as a backdoor like the study that was put out over the BSN vs. ADN trained nurse...and creates to this day such heated controversy...and the credentials have ZIP to do with being a good, solid, conscientious Nurse.

I can forsee this possibly being used as a tool to circumvent changes that DESPERATELY need to be made in every unit. Respect for each other, civility, Managers stepping in and nipping bullying in the bud. Administrators already ignore the stress behavior prevalent in Nursing and simply remove themselves from being made accountable.

Everyone wants a reason for why things happen. Nurses are stressed to the breaking point not because they are just wilting flowers and can't deal with life. The situations we are placed in with understaffing, lack of sleep, unreasonable demands, lack of resources, no voice to change things, no ability to unionize without extreme fear of losing jobs or reputation....the list goes on.

We already have enough victim blaming and shaming not just in nursing but in general society. This thesis rubs me that someone wants an "out". "It's not the department, lack of leadership, uncivil and bullying colleagues, real harassment, overwork and understaff.....YOU ARE JUST ONE OF THOSE OVERSENSITIVE PEOPLE and nursing just isn't for you." Typical victim shaming tactic.

I wish you luck. I am not participating though. I am proud of the fact that I am sensitive to not only my patients' thoughts and feelings, not just their symptoms...and to my colleagues, whether they deserve my concern or not.

Specializes in LTC.

I'm on the autism spectrum, so I would consider myself "sensitive". I don't like bright lights, loud noises, or being around a ton of people for long periods of time. I'm also not very good at multitasking (i.e. floor nursing). I'm better working 1 on 1 with patients rather than working with several at a time, which is why I do private duty nursing.

Thank you for your post.

Thanks for sharing.

Hi Crystal-Wings, thanks for sharing.

Really I feel like highly sensitive people tend to gravitate towards nursing. I am more worried about nurses who emotionally clock out with patients. People with disabilities are often in very powerless positions such as needing assistance with very basic needs. I have witnessed uncaring nurses treat these patients like a burden or as if the patients needs exist to make your life more difficult or the patient is requesting something just to give you a hard time. This isn't fair. On the contrary I think sensitive nurses are able to step into other people's shoes and have insight and perspective into what the experience of hospitalization can do to someone. I think the problem is with the burden of unrealistic workloads and expectations of nurses, not the sensitive nurse. To say highly sensitve people don't belong in nursing eems kind of victim blaming to me. Like the fault lies on the nurse and not the workplace circumstances they are forced to work in.

Not an RN yet so I didn't take your survey but I'm interested in reading your thesis. I'm a highly sensitive person, noises especially. Certain tone, pitch, or volume make me cringe and have this feeling I can't describe.

However I'm applying to nursing schools for Fall 2019.

I intend on doing patient care for a short time while earning my MSN and moving on to be a Nurse Educator :)

im just hoping now I make it through a few years!

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