Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion

2024

Faculty Advisor

Linda Roussel

Abstract

PURPOSE

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement the mindfulness intervention of the 3-minute breathing space (3MBS). The project was intended to decrease stress by 5% and increase professional quality of work life by 5% in healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND

The project was implemented in an outpatient center for rehabilitation and sports medicine in a rural community 60 miles outside of Houston, Texas.

METHODOLOGY

The Perceived Stress Scale and the Professional Quality of Life scale were used in a pre- and post-intervention format to track results. Daily usage of the 3MBS was tracked by participants on a physical paper log that was provided. Staff were educated on the 3MBS prior to the start of the project and were encouraged to use it throughout the project. The Plan-Do-Study-Act quality improvement methodology was used to implement change during this project.

RESULTS

Seven pre- and post-intervention surveys were completed and returned. Scores showed a 26.83% decrease in perceived stress. For quality of work life, scores showed a 16.66% decrease in burnout, 14% decrease in secondary traumatic stress, and 0.65% decrease in compassion satisfaction.

IMPLICATIONS

Meditation interventions such as the 3MBS should be employed in healthcare settings to help decrease staffs’ stress and increase their quality of work life. Future quality improvement practices should focus on mindfulness interventions being used throughout the healthcare facilities consistently for staffs’ wellbeing.

Keywords

mindfulness, stress, quality of work life, well-being

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