Exploring the Balance Between Mental Health and Professional Fulfillment in BPO Nursing: Challenges and Strategies

This study explored the balance between mental health and professional fulfillment among nurses working in healthcare Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) settings in the Philippines. Specifically, it examined levels of mental health, burnout, adaptive coping, work-life balance, and work engagement, as well as factors influencing professional fulfillment. A mixed-methods research design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 50 licensed Filipino nurses using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), Work-Life Balance Scale, and Brief COPE Inventory. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to quantitative data, while qualitative findings provided contextual insights into participants’ experiences. Findings revealed that although participants experienced varying levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout, they generally demonstrated moderate to high levels of work engagement, adaptive coping, and work-life balance. Work-life balance emerged as the strongest predictor of professional fulfillment. Qualitative findings emphasized the importance of meaningful work, career development opportunities, supportive work environments, and effective adaptation to the demands of BPO nursing. The study highlights the need for workplace interventions that promote employee well-being, mental health, and work-life balance. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on nontraditional nursing roles and provide evidence to support policies and programs that enhance professional fulfillment among BPO nurses.