Knowledge Bank

Background: Growing numbers of clinicians are dealing with mental and behavioral health issues such as burnout, depression, and suicidal ideation. Prevalence in pediatric critical-care nurses is reported to be as high as 42% to 77%.

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based quality improvement project was to implement a cognitive behavioral skills-building (CBSB) program to improve well-being and resiliency in pediatric critical-care nurses.

Implementation Plan: The 7-week MINDBODYSTRONG© (MBS) program was implemented with two cohorts of neonatal/pediatric critical nurses in a 222-bed academic, tertiary care pediatric hospital, using a virtual platform and offering 1 sequential session per week. Participants were asked to complete anonymous baseline and post-program surveys that included the following measures: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS4), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), and the Single Item Measure of Burnout. Post program surveys also included a MBS program evaluation.

Results: 15 RNs registered for and completed the MBS program. 93.3% completed both the baseline and post-program surveys. Results demonstrated clinical effects across all four mental health measures with large effects noted in the GAD-2 and PSS-4 and small effects noted in the PHQ-2 and the Single Item Measure of Burnout. 100% of participants found MBS helpful and recommended that it be offered to a wider audience.

Conclusion: Implementation of a CBSB program demonstrated clinical effectiveness on measures of anxiety, perceived stress, depression, and burnout in pediatric critical-care nurses. It was well-received by participants. Strategies for broader implementation should be explored.