Nurses’ Lived Experiences of Burnout and Coping Strategies in Public Hospitals in Naga City

Abstract

Burnout among nurses is a critical concern in public healthcare settings, particularly in resource-constrained environments. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of burnout and the coping strategies employed by nurses working in public hospitals in Naga City, Camarines Sur. Using purposive sampling, registered nurses with at least one year of clinical experience participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed through thematic analysis guided by phenomenological principles. Findings revealed that nurses’ experiences of burnout were deeply embedded in their daily professional realities and shaped by systemic conditions. Two major themes emerged regarding burnout: overwhelming workload and resource scarcity and emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Nurses described burnout as a cumulative and ongoing experience rather than a temporary response to isolated stressors. Despite these challenges, nurses employed adaptive coping strategies, primarily peer support and shared understanding, as well as personal meaning-making and emotional regulation. While these strategies enabled nurses to sustain their professional roles, they were largely individual- or peer-driven, reflecting limited institutional support. The study concludes that burnout among nurses in public hospitals is a structurally driven phenomenon that requires organizational and policy-level interventions. Strengthening institutional support systems is essential to promote nurses’ well-being, sustain professional engagement, and improve the quality of patient care in public healthcare settings.