Aim: To investigate the factors influencing three dimensions of burnout among clinical nurses in South Korea.

Design: Descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study.

Methods: We recruited 300 clinical nurses to participate in an online survey conducted in June 2021. Purposive sampling was used for the survey. Multiple linear regression was used for data analysis.

Results: The regression models explained 55.8%, 45.8% and 34.3% variances in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment respectively. Emotional exhaustion was influenced by experience in the current department, working overtime, shift type, depression, job stress and emotional labour. Depersonalization was influenced by gender, hospital size, the associated department, overtime, coping strategies, depression and emotional labour. Personal accomplishment was influenced by clinical experience, shift type, resilience and the perceived threat of coronavirus disease 2019.

Keywords: burnout; clinical nurses; working environment.

© 2023 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.