Emotional and Organizational Factors in Nurse Well‐Being: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Carolyn S. Phillips, Cara C. Young, Miranda Crawford, Kimberly A. Lewis, Shelli R. KeslerAim
Assess well‐being and burnout among nurses at a large acute‐care medical center and examine emotional labor and emotional intelligence factors associated with nurse well‐being.
Background
Nurse burnout threatens retention, care quality, and organizational performance globally. Although staffing and workload are established contributors, the influence of emotional labor and emotional intelligence is less understood.
Method(s)
A cross‐sectional survey was conducted from November 2024 to May 2025 at a 435‐bed acute‐care medical center in Central Texas, United States. Registered nurses ( n = 103) completed validated measures of well‐being, emotional labor, and emotional intelligence. We conducted descriptive statistics, regression analyses, and qualitative content analysis of open‐ended responses.
Results
Poorer well‐being was significantly associated with lower emotional intelligence, particularly self‐control, and higher emotional labor demands. The regression model was statistically significant and explained 28% of the variance in Well‐Being Index scores, where higher scores indicate poorer well‐being (adjusted R 2 = 0.277); statistically significant predictors were lower emotional control ( β = −0.290, 95% CI [–0.49, −0.09], p = 0.004), lower self‐control ( β = −0.333, 95% CI [–0.56, −0.11], p = 0.004), and higher emotionality ( β = 0.250, 95% CI [0.03, 0.47], p = 0.025). Nurses described feeling overworked and underappreciated because of staffing shortages, inequitable compensation, and emotional demands.
Conclusion(s)
Nurse well‐being is influenced by both emotional processes and workplace conditions. Improvement strategies should combine organizational change with interventions that strengthen emotional regulation skills.
Implications for Nursing Management
Nurse managers should implement routine well‐being assessments, safe staffing, equitable recognition, and development programs supporting nurses’ perceived capacity to regulate stress and manage emotions. This study identifies modifiable predictors of nurse well‐being, informing retention and healthier work environments.