Determining the Accessibility and Effectiveness of an 8-Week Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Mindfulness Program in Reducing Symptoms of Burnout for Nurses: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Chronic burnout has contributed to national nursing shortages. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce symptoms of burnout. However, barriers include a lack of trained facilitators and rigid schedules that cannot accommodate shift workers.

This thesis examines whether an 8-week online mindfulness program was accessible and effective in reducing symptoms of burnout for registered nurses working in an acute care setting. A non-experimental, before and after quantitative study design was used. A convenience sample of 11 registered nurses was recruited from local hospitals. The independent variable was an 8- week online program adapted from Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Dependent variables were Maslach Burnout Inventory: Human Service Survey and Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory. Of the 11 registered subjects, two completed the intervention and 1-month follow-up.

Due to the high attrition rate, data collected cannot be generalized. Summary regarding lessons learned with suggestions for combining technology and mindfulness-based interventions in reducing nursing burnout are provided.