As caregivers in high-pressure environments, critical care nurses are at risk for burnout. On top of that, the unexpected and unrelenting devastation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented us with unforeseen challenges. With the current increased awareness of the influence that health care systems have on nurses, understanding that particular influence is more imperative now than ever.

Although many studies focus on the mitigation of burnout, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recognizes the importance of addressing the quality of the work environment to improve individual well-being and organizational outcomes. In a study done before the pandemic, Kelly and colleagues sought to identify specific aspects of nurses’ perceived work environment that have a strong association with burnout.

Kelly et al identified meaningful recognition, a powerful tool to reconnect nurses to their work, as one of the healthy work environment standards that significantly affects burnout. They recommend that organizations...

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