Erin Allyson Kopp, DNP, ACNP, CNS

Abstract:

Background: Significant burnout is well documented in nurses. Hematology nurses are exposed to conditions positively correlated with vulnerability to burnout yet have not been studied. Resilience levels are inversely related with reported burnout. Cultivation of resilience is possible, and potentially reduces burnout. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been identified throughout the literature as viable and feasible mechanisms to mitigate burnout and increase resilience in nurses.

Objectives: The purpose of this DNP scholarly project was to determine the feasibility and efficacy of an abbreviated, four-week MBI in reducing burnout and increasing resilience in hematology registered nurses working at a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center.

Methods: A pre-post intervention project design was utilized. A convenience sample of 40 registered nurses were enrolled. All nurses working inpatient and outpatient within hematology were eligible. Enrollment was self-selection. Demographic data were collected at the onset of the project. An online mindfulness intervention was introduced during a 30-minute, online session. Participants were then asked to practice guided mindfulness daily for four weeks. Participants were asked to complete the Maslach’s Burnout Inventory and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale via REDcap at baseline and at the end of the four-week intervention. Frequency of practice was reported. Although not intended, all components of the intervention and analysis occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Results: All components of the study were completed by 20 nurses. The Wilcoxon and two-tailed Spearman testing were used for analysis. Resilience increased post intervention (z=2.49; p=.01; Change in M 28.1 to 30.65). No significant changes were noted in the three burnout dimensions. Positive correlation between frequency of mindfulness practice and increased resilience (.480) was found.

Conclusion: Practice of a four-week, online mindfulness intervention proved beneficial in increasing resilience in a small sample of hematology nurses in an NCI designated cancer center. In addition to the stressors inherent to hematology nursing, this sample of nurses coincidentally faced the demands of a pandemic. Future studies of mindfulness and its impact on resilience and burnout are necessary to fully explore potential benefits in this population; focus on responses during health emergencies is also critical.

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