Date of Award
Spring 4-28-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Advisor
Dr. Deana Batross, DNP, RN, APRN-CNP, FNP-BC, NE, CCRN
First Committee Member
Dr. Regina Prusinski, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNP-AC
Second Committee Member
Dr. Joy Shoemaker, DNP, APRN, CNP, FNP-BC
Third Committee Member
Dr. Brian Garrett, DNP, CRNA
Keywords
Mindfulness, Student registered, Nurse anesthetist, Curricula, Stress, Anxiety
Subject Categories
Medicine and Health Sciences | Mental and Social Health | Other Nursing | Psychiatric and Mental Health
Abstract
The nurse anesthesia specialty is highly stressful, with educational training being no exception. High didactic demands and intensive clinical experiences are placed on student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs), increasing stress and anxiety in their personal and professional lives. High levels of psychological distress can lead to inadvertent consequences in students’ mental, emotional, and physical health and can contribute to illness, burnout, substance use, and compromise in patient safety. Some degree of stress is necessary for motivation to succeed and perform at high levels, and encountering stress while enrolled in a doctoral nurse anesthesia program is expected and unavoidable. A search of the literature showed that mindfulness meditation training reduces stress and anxiety and improves performance in graduate student populations. An evidence-based practice project was developed and implemented to provide doctoral nurse anesthesia students with a tool to manage stress and anxiety while enrolled. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Model guided project planning, development, completion, and dissemination. The chosen intervention modality was the Headspace smartphone application, as it uses science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools to support mental health, is easy to access, and offers a free introductory period. SRNAs participated in a 14-day trial of the Headspace application after attending a presentation for oral solicitation and submitting consent. Pre and post-intervention surveys were conducted and analyzed, showing significant reductions in stress and anxiety. These results suggest Headspace could be a helpful mindfulness tool in improving overall SRNA well-being.
Acknowledgement 1
1
Acknowledgement 2
1
Licensing Permission
Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use
Recommended Citation
Rodgers, Kerrie, "Incorporation of Mindfulness Application Use in Doctoral Nurse Anesthesia Curricula for Mitigation of Stress and Anxiety in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects. 125.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_doc/125