Implementing a Nurse-Driven Wellness Program for Nurses in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Author Biographical Info

Raheemat B. Adekanmbi is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student at the Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, specializing in the Psychiatric-Mental Health track. With a deep commitment to advancing mental health care and supporting healthcare professionals, she has undertaken pivotal work addressing the well-being of nurses. Her passion for improving the mental health and job satisfaction of nurses in high-stress environments led her to develop a comprehensive wellness program aimed at mitigating burnout and secondary traumatic stress, thereby enhancing job satisfaction. Her professional journey reflects her profound dedication to both patient care and the well-being of her fellow healthcare providers. Her initiative is particularly impactful, as it addresses the critical need for structured support systems within demanding healthcare environments, and her work has been instrumental in fostering a more supportive and resilient workforce. In addition to her clinical and academic pursuits, she is a strong advocate for integrating mental health awareness into daily nursing practice. Her innovative contributions, paired with her leadership skills and clinical expertise, make her a formidable figure in the field of psychiatric-mental health nursing, driving change and promoting healthier work environments in clinical settings.

Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion

Summer 8-9-2024

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Carole Mackavey

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce stress and burnout while improving job satisfaction among nurses in an intensive critical care unit.

Background

Stress and burnout are common among healthcare workers, negatively impacting their job satisfaction and quality of life. Measures like art, music, aromatherapy, and mindfulness activities have been found to help reduce these issues. This study aimed to assess the impact of these interventions in a critical care setting.

Methodology

The study design employed a pre-post-intervention design. The ProQoL scores were assessed before the intervention was applied. The study involved the participants indulging in art, music, aromatherapy, and mindfulness activities for three months. Mean, Median, and Standard deviation were used to assess the impact of the interventions.

Results

This study showed a reduction in stress and burnout and increased job satisfaction, thus meeting the goal of improving the ProQOL score by 10%. The goal that was met suggested that the participants' professional quality of life had improved. The standard deviation analysis indicated that the effects of the interventions were uniform across the participant group.

Implications

The study identifies the positive results of targeted interventions in enhancing the mental health of nurses. Due to these findings, the ICU unit will implement these interventions and incorporate them as standard practice. Therefore, this study confirms the significance of comprehensive wellness programs and recommends extending the studies to other units.

Keywords

Job satisfaction, wellness, compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO), secondary traumatic stress (STS), professional quality of life (ProQoL), intensive care unit (ICU)

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