From Burnout to Balance: A Holistic Workplace Wellness Model for Neonatal Nurses (206)

Abstract Text: Recent national nursing shortages and shifting state and federal requirements have led to systemic burnout for neonatal nurses working in already high-stress, high-demand clinical spaces. While neonatal nurses are ethically obligated to “strive to provide an environment of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being” for their patients (NANN Code of Ethics, 3), certain workplace policies and facility cultural values can prevent nursing staff from accessing the same level of community care. Not only can chronic burnout lead to staff overturn and conflict between providers, but nurse burnout can ultimately affect the quality of patient care. Previous attempts to address nursing burnout have been insulated in models that place wellbeing at the responsibility of the individual provider. This presentation will review a holistic model of wellbeing for neonatal nurses, situating wellness in the workplace within the larger clinical community. Through the use of a holistic lens, leaders in nursing can potentially mitigate vicarious trauma for neonatal nurses and improve outcomes for patients.

Needs Assessment and Presentation Description: As facilities grapple with staffing shortages, mergers and acquisitions, and closing NICU facilities, neonatal nurses are often confronted with burnout and vicarious medical trauma as a result. Previous efforts to address neonatal nursing burnout have been insular to models that place the responsibility of wellbeing on the individual nurse. This presentation will review a holistic approach to workplace wellness for neonatal nurses incorporating psychotherapy research and applications.