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Revolutionizing nurse well-being: Virtual reality as a stress relief intervention
Amy L Clough1, Karen Lucas Breda, Abby Plaskonka
1Amy L. Clough is affiliated with the University of Hartford, Department of Nursing, where Karen Lucas Breda is an associate professor and Abby Plaskonka is a teaching assistant.
Nursing
|November 5, 2024
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) offers nurses a brief escape from workplace stress. This pilot study shows VR technology can provide a valuable stress relief intervention for healthcare professionals in rural settings.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Technology
- Occupational Health
- Nursing Research
Background:
- Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, face significant workplace stress.
- Stress in nurses can negatively impact patient care and staff well-being.
- Innovative interventions are needed to support nurse mental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of virtual reality (VR) as a stress relief tool for nurses.
- To assess the potential of VR to mitigate workplace stress in a rural hospital setting.
- To explore VR's role in providing temporary respite during demanding shifts.
Main Methods:
- An 8-week pilot project was conducted.
- Virtual reality technology was implemented as a stress relief intervention.
- Nurses utilized VR during break times to experience calming virtual scenarios.
Main Results:
- Virtual reality provided nurses with a means to disconnect from their stressful work environment.
- The intervention allowed for temporary immersion in calming virtual settings.
- Qualitative feedback indicated VR's potential as an effective stress management tool.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality technology shows promise as a feasible and accessible stress relief intervention for nurses.
- Implementing VR in healthcare settings can offer a novel approach to supporting staff mental well-being.
- Further research is warranted to explore the long-term impact and scalability of VR interventions for nurses.
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