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Dissertation
Mitigating Burnout and Stress in Neonatal Nurse Practitioners with Expressive Writing
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2024
Abstract
Background: Burnout is a pervasive problem in the United States healthcare system with some critical care institutions reporting burnout rates as high as 60%. Burnout can lead to a myriad of physical and psychological complications. Purpose: Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) are at increased risk of developing burnout as they face many occupational stressors in their daily workflow. Without effective coping strategies these occupational hazards lead to burnout—a syndrome characterized by exhaustion, depersonalization, and professional efficacy. Expressive writing is a strategy to mitigate those negative outcomes and promote clinician well-being. Methods: This evidence-based practice project used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design to evaluate the effect of expressive writing on burnout, perceived stress, and participant satisfaction among NNPs. This project was conducted at a freestanding children’s hospital. A convenience sample of NNPs working at this facility were recruited for this project (n=13). A 4-week expressive writing program was implemented followed by project outcome evaluations at 3 intervals. Two validated instruments were used to evaluate project outcomes: the Maslach Burnout Inventory for Medical Personnel (MBI) survey and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) survey. Findings: NNP participants had a significant reduction in perceived stress from pre- to 1-month post (p = .007 and p < .001) for a 37.3% total reduction in PSS mean scores. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization pre- to 1-month post scores demonstrated a 12.2% reduction, while personal accomplishment scores increased by 5.8%. Participants reported 100% satisfaction with the project intervention. Discussion: This evidence-based practice project demonstrates that expressive writing is an effective approach to mitigating burnout and stress in NNPs. Reduction in NNP stress and burnout scores could lead to decreased negative health effects, improved patient care, and increased job satisfaction. Future research should focus on targeting both individual and organizational-level methods to reduce burnout to increase clinician well-being.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Mitigating Burnout and Stress in Neonatal Nurse Practitioners with Expressive Writing
- Creators
- Jennifer Rae Nieman - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Jodi Bloxham (Chair) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Poster
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Acute Care)
- Date degree season
- Spring 2024
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 1 page
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2024 Jennifer Rae Nieman
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects
- Record Identifier
- 9984627255502771
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