Thesis (MCurr)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The imbalance between job demands and available resources could cause burnout which may impact quality patient care. A scientific investigation was conducted to evaluate burnout amongst primary health care (PHC) nurses. The objectives for the study were to identify the prevalence of burnout amongst PHC nurses and to explore the contributing factors to burnout in PHC settings. The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model (Bakker and Demerouti, 2007:309) was used as a conceptual framework for the study. A non-experimental, descriptive cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach was applied. The population and sample consisted of professional nurses (PN) and clinical nurse practitioners (CNP) (n=72) in the Eden District of the Western Cape. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect the data in an uncontrolled, natural environment. Analysis of the results exposed high levels of burnout amongst PHC nurses. Nurses in PHC facilities all had an equal chance to develop burnout, regardless of their level of experience. The occurrence of burnout is equal in community health centres and in community clinics, although a trend was observed that subjects in community clinics may experience more emotional exhaustion. Work pressure, workload or an increase in job demands, lack of organisational support and management problems were rated as the main factors contributing to burnout. Recommendations were made to improve the working environments of PHC nurses in order to increase motivational levels, job satisfaction and to foster work engagement, as well as to reduce levels of burnout. Opportunities for further research are recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die wanbalans tussen beroepseise en beskikbare hulpbronne kan uitbranding veroorsaak en gevolglik kwaliteit patiëntsorg beïnvloed. ‘n Wetenskaplike studie is gedoen om uitbranding onder primêre gesondheidsorg (PGS) verpleegkundiges te evalueer. Die doelstellings van die studie was om die voorkoms van uitbranding onder PGS-verpleegkundiges te identifiseer, en om die bydraende faktore wat aanleiding gee tot uitbranding in PGS-instellings, te ondersoek. Die Beroepseise-Hulpbronne model (Bakker and Demerouti, 2007:309) is as ‘n konsepsuele raamwerk vir die studie gebruik. 'n Nie-eksperimentele, beskrywende dwarssnit studie met 'n kwantitatiewe benadering, is toegepas. Die populasie en die steekproef het bestaan uit professionele verpleegkundiges en kliniese verpleeg praktisyns (n=72) in die Eden Distrik van die Wes-Kaap. ‘n Self-rapport vraelys was gebruik om data in ‘n ongekontroleerde, natuurlike omgewing te versamel. Die analisering van resultate het hoë vlakke van uitbranding onder verpleegkundiges in PGS-dienste ontbloot. Verpleegkundiges in PGS-fasiliteite het almal 'n gelyke kans om uitbranding te ontwikkel, ongeag die vlak van ondervinding. Die voorkoms van uitbranding is dieselfde in gemeenskaps-gesondheidsentrums en gemeenskapsklinieke, alhoewel daar ‘n neiging sigbaar was dat personeel in gemeenskapsklinieke meer emosionele uitputting ervaar. Werkdruk, werklas of toename in beroepseise, die gebrek aan organisatoriese ondersteuning en bestuursprobleme is aangewys as die hoof redes wat aanleiding gee tot uitbranding. Voorstelle is gemaak om die werksomgewing van PGS-verpleegkundiges te verbeter en om motiveringsvlakke en werkstevredenheid te herstel. Dit sal werksverbintenis versterk en die voorkoms van uitbranding beperk. Geleenthede vir verdere navorsing is aanbeveel.