BACKGROUND: The Burnout syndrome has been defined as a response to the chronic work-related stress typically found in professionals working in care service organizations. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the prevalence of burnout syndrome and factors associated with burnout syndrome among nurses in public hospitals, Southwest Ethiopia, 2018.METHOD: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1st, 2018 to April 1st, 2018. Total number of nurses who fulfill the inclusion criterias were enrolled. Data was collected using the predesigned tool. Data were entered using EPI INFO version 7 and was exported to statistical packages for social science (SPSS) version 21.0 for analysis. Logistic regression was employed and odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used. Variables with a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: A total of 282 eligible nurses were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 28.71 [SD ±7.047].  The prevalence of burnout syndrome among nurses was 96(34%). Predictor variables like; educational status, job title, work experience, fatigue, and social support were found to be strong predictor variables for burnout syndrome.CONCLUSION: This study revealed that a considerable proportion of nurses had burnout syndrome. Therefore, improved educational status and strong social support should be encouraged among nurses working in the health setting for the betterment of health care services, job satisfaction and quality of care in general.KEYWORDS: Burnout Syndrome, Factors, Nurses, Prevalence, Ethiopia