Promoting Interventions for Mental Health and Well-Being to Address the Implications of Nurse Burnout
Abstract
Problem: Nursing burnout has been an existing phenomenon contributing to mental health problems, hospital staff turnover rates, and the nationwide nursing shortage, which has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Context: Studies indicate that burnout is associated with mental health consequences and organizational turnover. Perceived stress, burnout, and turnover rates observed at the clinics prompted a pilot program that consisted of mental health maintenance tools.
Intervention: A pre-intervention survey was collected to identify burnout factors and to measure perceived burnout. Nurses engaged in a pilot program that incorporated daily “team temperature checks” with an assigned Mental Health Champion for the duration of one workweek. Upon completion, nurses responded to a post-intervention survey to then reevaluate perceived burnout.
Measures: Pre- and post-intervention survey scores of a modified Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) were analyzed to measure a change in perceived burnout. The nurses' endorsement of Mental Health Champions and team temperature checks were also assessed.
Results: Contributing reasons leading to nursing burnout were identified as a shift in workload, unsafe staffing, and emotional strain. Results from the post-intervention survey indicated that there was a decreased perception of burnout as most surveyed nurses became accepting of the interventions.
Conclusions: Various organizational factors influence nurse burnout. Institutions are urged to consider these interventions to promote their staff's mental health and well-being, thus improving workplace culture and staff retention rates.
