Occupational profile types of Chinese vocational nursing faculty in a neijuan context and their associations with burnout and turnover intention.

Abstract

To explore occupational profiles among vocational nursing faculty and compare burnout and turnover intention across profiles. Neijuan (translated as involution) describes a context of intensified evaluation and competition where teaching, research and clinical skill updating may overlap. Using Bourdieu's field theory as a contextual lens, we examined how occupational profiles relate to burnout and turnover intention among vocational nursing faculty in Henan Province, China. Cross-sectional study. The sample included 208 vocational nursing faculty from multiple higher vocational colleges in Henan Province, China. A self-administered questionnaire assessed profile indicators covering work demands, perceived organizational justice and publication-related orientations and behaviours and measured burnout and turnover intention. Indicators were standardised and entered into K-means clustering. Differences were examined using ANOVA and covariate-adjusted linear models. Four profiles were identified: A, high workload, low justice, high publication-related responses (34.6%); B, relatively high justice, low publication-related responses (20.7%); C, high justice, quality-oriented, low collaboration avoidance (31.7%); D, low workload, moderate justice (13.0%). Both outcomes differed by profile (p < 0.001). Profile A had the highest burnout and turnover intention. Profile D had the lowest burnout. Turnover intention was lower in Profiles B and C and did not differ from Profile D. Differences remained after adjustment. Vocational nursing faculty show distinct occupational profiles reflecting work demands, perceived organizational justice and publication-related patterns. Profiles are linked to burnout and turnover intention, informing targeted workload reduction and tailored support.