Piloting a Mindfulness App for Use by Nursing Staff at Work

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Mental Health

Background:

• Compassion fatigue is a significant issue for healthcare professionals.
• Acute care settings present unique stressors for nursing staff.
• Mindfulness interventions are increasingly explored for workplace well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and impact of a mindfulness app on medical-surgical nursing staff.
• To assess changes in stress and calmness levels.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to app implementation.

Main Methods:

• A 5-week pilot study involving medical-surgical nurses in an acute care setting.
• Implementation of informational sessions on compassion fatigue and mindfulness.
• Daily leadership support and post-implementation surveys.

Main Results:

• The mindfulness app intervention led to increased self-reported calmness.
• Participants reported reduced stress levels post-intervention.
• Perceived time constraints emerged as a primary barrier.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness apps show promise in mitigating stress and enhancing calmness among nursing staff.
• Addressing perceived time constraints is crucial for successful implementation.
• Promoting a culture of self-care and awareness of compassion fatigue is essential.