Date of Graduation

Fall 12-17-2021

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Program

Kaiser cohort MSN capstone

First Advisor

Dr. Sara Horton-Deutch

Second Advisor

Dr. Cathy Coleman

Third Advisor

Dr. Cynthia Huff

Abstract

Healthcare workers have been working in unprecedented circumstances since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Caregivers have been taxed with burnout. A large healthcare organization’s 26-bed, medical-surgical, telemetry, COVID-19 overflow unit was significantly impacted. Many healthcare organizations have adopted advocacy for attaining joy in work as an extra dimension of the Institute for Health Improvement’s Triple Aim. Adding this fourth aim supports averting caregiver burnout (CBO) while promoting joy in work.

This quality improvement project examined nurse leaders’ interventions that address CBO, promote healthy work environments, and promote joy in work. From June through August 2021, an 8-week resilience program was implemented during huddles to support decreasing CBO for frontline nursing staff. Interventions were evidence-based and changed weekly. Education, connection, humor, self-care, gratitude, music, spirituality, and fun were facilitated. A survey was performed pre- and post-program. CBO, employee turnover, absenteeism, management support, and the burden of joy at work were measured for effectiveness. The aim of this project was to gain 75% staff attendance and reduce CBO 10% in the unit over 3 months. Results demonstrated that CBO and absenteeism significantly decreased, while attendance, employee turnover, management support, and joy at work did not meet their targeted goals. Implications of these findings include cultivating resilience modalities to foster employee well-being and joy in work results in decreasing CBO while improving productivity. Nurse leader support towards desired restorative efforts for staff can make a valuable difference. The World Health Organization (2020) recommends that protecting healthcare staff from chronic stress and poor mental health development is crucial.

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