Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion
Spring 5-2024
Faculty Advisor
Faith Strunk
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this quality improvement project was to decrease Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) scores by 5% among nurses working in a joint and rehab unit after using the mindfulness-based mobile application Headspace for 2 months.
BACKGROUND Indicators of rising burnout were noted on a 27-bed joint and rehab unit at a general medical and surgical facility in Houston, Texas.
METHODOLOGY The OLBI survey was used to measure burnout risk. The Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle was used to plan and identify necessary changes. Champions on each shift led selected brief Headspace app mindfulness-based activities once a shift daily for two months. Participants were encouraged to use the Headspace mobile app at least 10 minutes every day. OLBI was re-administered following the two-month intervention.
RESULTS Twenty-two participants completed the pre-implementation survey; 19 completed the
post implementation survey. Overall burnout scores for all participants increased, whether or not they used the app. Participants engaging in brief mindfulness activities demonstrated a lower mean OLBI score of 44.8 [SD=3.8] compared to non-participants, who had a mean OLBI score of 47.0 [SD=4.2].
IMPLICATIONS The processes associated with burnout are complex and occur within the context of a multi-level system, therefore a systems-based approach is necessary for burnout mitigation.
This QI project increased awareness on the significance of addressing nurse burnout and the potential benefits of engaging in mindfulness interventions among nurses on this 27-bed joint and rehab unit.
Keywords
Mindfulness-based interventions, nurse, burnout, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, mobile application, Headspace
Recommended Citation
Ugwu, Vivian, "Use of a Mindfulness-Based Mobile App to Decrease Nurse Burnout" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract. 27.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dnp_abstract/27