Nurse Experience of Participation in a Mindfulness-Based Self-Care and Resiliency Intervention

Abstract

Nursing is recognized as a stressful occupation where the incidence of negative outcomes such as burnout and high attrition has been well documented. Studies have consistently found that a higher level of resilience is related to retention in the nursing workforce. Mindfulness has been shown to lower levels of burnout and may play an important role in resilience to vicarious trauma. A brief mindful self-care and resiliency (MSCR) program aimed specifically at reducing compassion fatigue, and enhancing nurses’ resilience was piloted in a tertiary acute care hospital in Australia. This paper reports findings from the qualitative component of a mixed methods study which aimed to explore nurses’ responses to the MSCR program including its perceived feasibility, acceptability, and applicability. A sample of 20 nurses completed the MSCR program, of which 16 nurses (80% response) participated in individual unstructured interviews. Verbatim transcripts of the audio recorded interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. Five themes emerged that described participants’ perceptions of how the program benefitted nurses and its applicability in routine practice: Gaining perspective and insight; developing feelings of inner calm; taking time to care for self; feasibility and acceptability of the MSCR program; and using self-care strategies. The MSCR program was found to be feasible and acceptable from the perspective of nurse participants working in this acute care hospital. Fifteen nurses (94%) reported using mindful awareness and self-regulation after completing the program indicating that the strategies offered were practicable in this work setting.