NURS FPX 8030 Assessment 3 Critical Appraisal of Evidence-Based Literature

Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX 8030 Evidence-Based Practice Process for the Nursing Doctoral Learner

Prof. Name

Date

Critical Appraisal of Evidence-Based Literature on Nurse Burnout

Introduction

Nurse burnout is a significant issue within the healthcare sector, manifesting as a mental, physical, and emotional state caused by chronic overwork. This phenomenon is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment (Ogus, 2020). Recent studies indicate that the prevalence of nurse burnout has escalated to approximately 70%, largely due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (Gracia-Gracia & Oliván-Blázquez, 2018). A primary contributor to this burnout is the shortage of nursing staff, resulting in overwhelming workloads for those still in the profession. The consequences of nurse burnout extend beyond the individual, affecting patients, colleagues, and families, ultimately leading to increased patient mortality, morbidity, and medication errors. Addressing this critical issue and implementing effective solutions in healthcare facilities is imperative.

Proposed Solutions to Nurse Burnout

One promising solution to combat nurse burnout is the implementation of stress management programs within healthcare settings. These programs serve as vital coping mechanisms for staff grappling with work-related stress. This article aims to evaluate the effectiveness of stress management interventions in reducing the prevalence of burnout among nurses. To frame this exploration, the following PICOT question has been developed:

P: Nurses
I: Stress management interventions
C: No stress management interventions
O: Reduction in the prevalence of burnout syndrome
T: Six months

Critical Appraisal Tool

The critical appraisal tool utilized in this analysis is a qualitative descriptive study framework. This tool aids in identifying effective intervention strategies for addressing burnout. The first step in conducting this qualitative study involved formulating the PICOT question to guide the research process. This formulation facilitated the identification of essential keywords for literature searches in relevant databases.

Selecting appropriate databases is crucial for obtaining reliable and pertinent information on nurse burnout. The primary keywords, derived from the PICOT question, included “nurses,” “stress management,” “burnout prevalence,” and “six months.” The literature was sourced from databases such as the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Google Scholar.

A qualitative descriptive study was chosen as it aligns closely with the PICOT question, allowing for focused literature review while ensuring that the selected articles comprehensively address nurse burnout and effective intervention strategies. Five relevant articles were identified and selected for further analysis.

Annotated Articles

1. Evaluating the Effects of a Burnout Prevention Program

The article titled “Burning Out Physical and Emotional Fatigue: Evaluating the Effects of a Program to Reduce Burnout Among Mental Health Nurses,” published in 2019, directly relates to the issue of nurse burnout and the established PICOT question. This quasi-experimental study assesses the effectiveness of a burnout prevention program on nurses in Saudi Arabia. It involved an intervention group and a control group, using the Maslach Burnout Inventory to measure the workshop’s impact at intervals of 1, 3, and 6 months (Alenezi et al., 2019). The analysis, conducted using ANOVA via SPSS software, revealed significant reductions in burnout levels among participants, supporting the efficacy of structured intervention strategies in mitigating burnout.

2. The Role of Yoga in Managing Stress

The second article, “The Use of Yoga to Manage Stress and Burnout in Healthcare Workers,” investigates yoga as a contemporary intervention to alleviate stress and burnout among healthcare professionals. This systematic review synthesizes findings from seven articles retrieved through Scopus and Medline (PubMed). The study concludes that participation in an 11-week yoga program led to a statistically significant reduction in nurse burnout and improved self-regulation among medical students (Cocchiara et al., 2019). This article contributes valuable insights into alternative methods for managing burnout in healthcare settings.

3. Stress and Coping Strategies for Nursing Students

The article “Nursing and Midwifery Students’ Stress and Coping During Their Undergraduate Education Programs” examines the sources of stress and burnout experienced by nursing and midwifery students. Conducted as an integrative literature review utilizing Knafl’s and Whittemore’s approaches, the study identifies clinical and financial pressures as significant contributors to burnout (McCarthy et al., 2018). It highlights various intervention strategies, including mindfulness practices, that can enhance coping mechanisms for students navigating high-stress educational environments.

4. Stress Management for New Nurses

The article “Stress Management and Resiliency Training in a Nurse Residency Program” focuses on the challenges of stress faced by new nurses. It evaluates a stress management program designed to ease the transition into the nursing profession, identifying stress as a primary cause of burnout. The research employs qualitative data analysis to explore themes such as mindfulness and personal development, concluding that tailored interventions are essential for supporting new nurses (Chesak et al., 2019).

5. Coping with Burnout: A Comprehensive Study

The article “Stress, Burnout, and Coping Strategies” explores the adverse effects of burnout on nurses’ abilities to meet patient needs. Identifying various stressors, including resource constraints and difficult patient interactions, the study presents coping strategies based on Selye’s and Lazarus’s models of stress management (Ogus, 2020). The findings reveal that a significant percentage of participants reported experiencing burnout, and the study underscores the importance of active coping strategies in mitigating its effects.

Resource Quality Evaluation

To assess the quality of resources, a critical appraisal tool was employed to evaluate the risk of bias in the literature. This assessment considered factors such as imprecision, consistency, indirectness, and publication bias. The reviewed studies consistently support the effectiveness of mindfulness and meditation as intervention strategies for managing burnout. By employing diverse research samples, these studies minimized bias and provided robust findings across various healthcare contexts.

Recommended Interventions for Nurse Burnout

To enhance the well-being and efficiency of healthcare workers, implementing targeted interventions to address work-related burnout is essential. Recommended strategies include:

Use of Yoga

Research indicates that yoga can effectively reduce burnout among healthcare workers. This practice emphasizes personal care and reflection, promoting mental and emotional resilience. Regular yoga sessions contribute to improved sleep quality, enabling healthcare workers to recharge and perform better during shifts (Cocchiara et al., 2019).

Mindfulness-Based Programs

Mindfulness interventions have proven effective in managing burnout resulting from excessive stress. These programs educate individuals on mindfulness practices, enhancing self-awareness and emotional regulation. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs focus on bodily awareness and meditation, fostering compassion and reducing stress levels among healthcare workers (Alenezi et al., 2019).

The ABC Model of Stress Management

Psychologist Albert Ellis’s ABC model offers a framework for identifying and reframing negative beliefs that contribute to burnout. By examining activating events, beliefs, and consequences, therapists can help patients challenge irrational thoughts and cultivate a more positive mindset (Ogus, 2020). This model empowers individuals to cope with burnout effectively.

Conclusion

Nurse burnout significantly impacts the quality of patient care, resulting in medication errors and inadequate patient management. To improve outcomes within healthcare facilities, it is crucial to implement effective intervention strategies aimed at reducing stress and burnout among nursing staff. Providing access to comprehensive stress management programs can lead to improved well-being and better healthcare delivery.

References

Ahmed, M. A., Shahzad, M. N., & Akram, B. (2019). Nurses in double trouble: Antecedents of job burnout in the nursing profession. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 35(4). https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.600

Alenezi, A., McAndrew, S., & Fallon, P. (2019). Burning out physical and emotional fatigue: Evaluating the effects of a programme aimed at reducing burnout among mental health nurses. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 28(5), 1045-1055. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12608

Baigent, M., & Baigent, R. (2018). Burnout in the medical profession: Not a rite of passage. Medical Journal of Australia, 208(11), 471-472. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja17.00891

NURS FPX 8030 Assessment 3 Critical Appraisal of Evidence-Based Literature

Chesak, S. S., Morin, K. H., Cutshall, S., Carlson, M., Joswiak, M. E., Ridgeway, J. L., Vickers, K. S., & Sood, A. (2019). Stress management and resiliency training in a nurse residency program. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 35(6), 337-343. https://doi.org/10.1097/nnd.0000000000000589

Cocchiara, R., Peruzzo, M., Mannocci, A., Ottolenghi, L., Villari, P., Polimeni, A., Guerra, F., & La Torre, G. (2019). The use of yoga to manage stress and burnout in healthcare workers: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(3), 284. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8030284

Gracia-Gracia, P., & Oliván-Blázquez, B. (2018). Burnout and mindfulness self-compassion in nurses of intensive care units. Holistic Nursing Practice, 31(4), 225-233. https://doi.org/10.1097/hnp.0000000000000215