Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion
Summer 8-2025
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Susan Stafford
Abstract
Introduction: This quality improvement project addresses a lack of quiet space for staff to de-stress. The goal was to create a Zen room at a substance abuse treatment facility to decrease self-perceived stress in staff by 15% within three months.
Methodology: The PDSA cycle was applied to the creation of a Zen room. Stress was measured with questions from the Perceived Stress Scale at baseline, entry, and exit. 23 participants recorded Zen room entry. Limitations included small sample size and exit survey attrition. Implementation challenges included budget issues and low response rates. Stress levels were compared at baseline, room entry, and room exit. Qualitative feedback was solicited through open-ended questions.
Results: Stress from room entry to exit decreased by 57.5%. Stress from baseline to room exit decreased by 76.2%. Qualitative responses were mainly positive. These findings indicate the effectiveness of the Zen room in reducing short-term perceived stress. Following this project, the Zen room remained operational, and sister facilities considered similar spaces.
Practice Implications: The project goal was accomplished since the Zen room reduced stress after usage by over 15%. A Zen room is a low-cost strategy to provide staff with a relaxation space. Limitations include small sample size and minimal baseline data.
Conclusion: The primary finding shows the Zen room effectively reduced short-term perceived stress, indicating that a Zen room may alleviate stress in the healthcare workplace. Further improvement would include measuring long-term stress reduction with regular Zen room usage.
Keywords
Zen room, relaxation, stress, patient care staff, nursing, behavioral health, substance abuse
Recommended Citation
Michelle Tat, "Implementation of a Zen Room to Decrease Perceived Stress: A Quality Improvement Project" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract. 111.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dnp_abstract/111