Art-Based Interventions to Mitigate Nurse Stress and Burnout During Extraordinary Circumstances

Purpose of StudyThis study aimed to determine the effect of a holistic intervention, integrating painting, and music activities, on the perceived stress and burnout levels of nurses working in frontline conditions during extraordinary crises.Design of StudyA quasi-experimental pretest/post-test control group design was utilized, grounded in holistic nursing principles.Methods UsedThe intervention consisted of three online art-based sessions designed to facilitate emotional expression and cognitive relief. Data were collected from nursing staff via an introductory form, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Burnout Scale (BS). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, including nonparametric tests and effect size calculations.FindingsFor the intervention group, the BS median values showed a significant improvement following the sessions (p < .05), moving from a pretest median of 3.00 to 4.00 (indicating lower burnout). While PSS scores decreased from 33.00 to 31.50, this change did not reach statistical significance (p > .05). Participants in both groups reported a high baseline interest in music.ConclusionsNurses experience dangerously high levels of burnout during prolonged extraordinary circumstances. Short-term, holistic art-based interventions can significantly reduce perceived burnout. Integrating creative arts into the workplace serves as a vital holistic strategy to enhance psychological resilience and work-life quality.