Addressing burnout among nurses of color: Key priorities and calls for action

Nursing burnout remains a public health crisis. However, few stakeholders have considered the disproportionate toll of burnout among nurses of color, including nurses identifying as Black, Hispanic/Latino, or Native American. We convened a one-day conference, titled Solutions to Health Inequities and Nurses’ Emotional Exhaustion (SHINE), to begin identifying contributing factors and solutions to burnout amongst nurses of color. SHINE included plenaries, small group discussions, and breakout sessions with nearly 40 expert stakeholders from around the country. We employed a deliberative dialogue (DD) methodology to identify key takeaways and implications for research, practice, and policy. High-priority solutions included: improving the work environment and nurse staffing, reducing stigma against nurses seeking mental healthcare, addressing workplace racism as a root cause of nurse burnout, and increasing support for nurses experiencing racism at work. Key priorities identified through SHINE offer a roadmap for nurse leaders to address burnout through an equity-centered lens.