What condition is the staff nurse experiencing if they are unable to meet responsibilities despite being aware of the working requirements?

The staff nurse is experiencing role conflict when they are aware of their responsibilities but find themselves unable to fulfill them. Role conflict occurs when there are contradictory expectations or demands placed on an individual, leading to confusion and difficulty in performing their duties. In this scenario, the nurse may be caught between differing expectations from team members, management, or the organization itself, impacting their ability to meet their responsibilities effectively.

Burnout, job dissatisfaction, and emotional exhaustion all relate to negative feelings towards work but do not specifically address the scenario of conflicting responsibilities and the inability to meet them despite awareness. For instance, burnout refers to a state of chronic stress leading to physical and emotional depletion, while emotional exhaustion is a component of burnout focusing solely on feelings of fatigue and a lack of emotional resources. Job dissatisfaction encompasses general unhappiness with one's job, which may not necessarily relate to conflicting roles. Role conflict directly addresses the inability to meet responsibilities due to competing demands, making it the most accurate choice in this context.