Social group membership, burnout, and subjective well-being in new nurses in the life transition period: A cross-sectional study

AimTo assess differences in social group memberships and burnout levels by work tenure among new nurses and identify factors associated with their subjective well-being. DesignA cross-sectional study. MethodsParticipants were 356 registered nurses who had fewer than 3 years of work tenure. Data were collected from February-March 2021. Participants' social identity, burnout, and subjective well-being were assessed using validated questionnaires. STROBE checklist was applied. ResultsMultiple group membership was positively associated with life satisfaction and positive affect and negatively with burnout. Burnout influenced new nurses' negative effect in their life transition period. To improve new nurses' subjective well-being, it is essential to focus on their social group membership, encourage participation in group activities, and improve access to sociopsychological resources that can help them take their first steps as professional staff and develop as healthy members of society, which will foster sustainable healthcare systems.

Automated summary

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore differences in social group memberships and burnout levels among new nurses based on their work tenure. The results revealed that having multiple group memberships was associated with higher life satisfaction and positive affect, while lower burnout levels were observed. It was also found that burnout influenced negative emotions during the transition period of new nurses. To enhance the subjective well-being of new nurses, attention should be paid to their social group memberships, promoting participation in group activities, and improving access to sociopsychological resources that support their professional development and contribute to sustainable healthcare systems.