Reducing stress among nurses: The impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction programs.

An integrative review of recent literature indicates that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs effectively reduce stress among nurses working in long-term care, post-acute care, and assisted living settings. Reduced stress is associated with improved patient outcomes, increased nurse resiliency, enhanced job satisfaction, and decreased organizational costs from nurse turnover. The review supports implementing formal MBSR programs to improve nurse self-care, mental health, and retention. Future research should examine optimal implementation strategies and long-term effects in these settings.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The demanding nature of nursing work in long term care, post-acute care, and assisted living settings contributes to elevated levels of stress, which has far-reaching consequences for both nurses and healthcare organizations. This integrative review examines the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs in mitigating stress among nurses as well as a potential means to increase resiliency and retention rates. Unmanaged nurse stress not only affects nurses' well-being but also erodes the quality of patient care and incurs significant economic burdens on healthcare systems through increased turnover and decreased productivity. A comprehensive search of databases was conducted using specific keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles published within the last five years. The selected articles were appraised to synthesize similarities and differences in the effects of MBSR programs on nurses' stress levels, resiliency, and retention rates. The reviewed literature indicates that MBSR programs are effective in reducing stress levels among nurses. This perceived reduction in stress is associated with improved patient outcomes, increased resiliency among nursing staff, enhanced job satisfaction, and decreased organizational costs related to nurse turnover. This review supports the implementation of MBSR programs as a valuable intervention to address nurse stress, improve nurse resiliency, and promote positive outcomes for patients, nurses, and healthcare organizations by reducing nurse turnover. Healthcare organizations should consider adopting a formal MBSR program that includes a focus on improving nurse self-care, mental health, and reducing stress. Future research should explore optimal implementation strategies and long-term effects of formalized MBSR programs within long term care, post-acute care, and assisted living settings. There are no financial gains or conflicts of interest for recommendations for implementation of MBSR resources. To aid in operational implementation, both free and for purchase resources are available. Resources provided in this paper are provided solely for additional learning purposes.