PHILADELPHIA (August 12, 2026) — A new study published in the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing reveals that four in ten inpatient psychiatric mental health registered nurses (PMH-RNs) experience high burnout. However, researchers found that supportive work environments significantly reduce burnout, job dissatisfaction, and nurse turnover.
The research – from Penn Nursing ’s Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research (CHOPR) – evaluated survey data from 740 inpatient PMH-RNs across 297 general acute care and psychiatric hospitals in ten US states.
Key findings of the study include:
"High levels of burnout and turnover among PMH-RNs are not inevitable," said lead author Justinna Dixon, PhD, RN , dually appointed CHOPR and National Clinician Scholars Program Postdoctoral Fellow. "Improving work environments—specifically through ensuring adequate staffing levels and empowering PMH-RNs through strong leadership support—represents an actionable strategy for healthcare systems to retain this workforce central to caring for patients experiencing acute mental health crises.”
With nearly half of the psychiatric nursing workforce expected to retire over the next decade, study authors call on administrators and policymakers to prioritize optimal staffing models and supportive interdisciplinary teamwork, collaboration, and safe physical & psychological environments for PMH- RNS.
This study was supported by funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research (T32NR007104 & R01NR014855) as well as the National Clinician Scholars Program. Coauthors of this study include CHOPR researchers Hyunmin (David) Yu, PhD, APRN, AGACNP-BC; Ann Kutney-Lee, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN; and J. Margo Brooks Carthon, PhD, RN, FAAN.
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Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
Observational study
Associations Between the Nurse Work Environment andJob Outcomes Among Inpatient Psychiatric Mental Health Registered Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
27-Jul-2026