Defense Date

7-26-2022

Graduation Date

Fall 12-16-2022

Submission Type

DNP Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

School

School of Nursing

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Frank Kosnosky

Committee Member

Dr. Susan Bedwell

Keywords

Nurse residents, nurse retention, intent to leave, wellness interventions, self-care, self-compassion, Emotional Freedom Technique, IHWT, nurse graduates.

Abstract

The US nursing workforce decreased 1.8 percent between 2019 and 2021, marking the largest drop seen in four decades. New nurses or nurse residents NRs) are included in this loss. Many nurses, but particularly new nurses, experience burnout. If workplace stress is not managed, it can become chronic. The first year of employment as a nurse has been shown to be a very vulnerable time. Within the first 2 years of nurses’ employment, there is a reduction in commitment along with increased stress. New graduate nurses’ lack of life experiences, along with the recent pandemic have contributed to more than 57% of nurses under the age of 25 believing they cannot manage the stress of their work in the nursing environment. There are other influencing factors as well; a younger generation of nurses may be less willing to sacrifice their own needs and wellbeing for those of organizations. Also, social determinants of work health, such as childcare availability and household debt are also driving their employment decisions. These factors, along with stress and anxiety contribute to nurses leaving their jobs within a short time and many leaving nursing altogether. New nurses leaving within their first 2 years of employment presents a challenge to nurse educators, nurse administers, hospital leadership and ultimately patients as well as the future of the nursing workforce. This quality improvement project will look at the addition of wellness interventions and their effect on a NRs intent to leave.

Language

English

Download

Included in

Nursing Commons

COinS