A pilot study to evaluate mindfulness as a strategy to improve inpatient nurse and patient experiences

Appl Nurs Res. 2014 Aug;27(3):198-201. doi: 10.1016/j.apnr.2014.01.003. Epub 2014 Jan 30.

Abstract

The purpose of the Mindful Nursing Pilot Study was to explore the impact of mindfulness training for nursing staff on levels of mindfulness, compassion satisfaction, burnout, and stress. In addition, the study attempted to determine the impact on patient satisfaction scores. The pilot was designed as a quasi-experimental research study; staff on one nursing unit participated in the 10-week mindfulness training program while another, similar nursing unit served as the control group. The intervention group showed improvement in levels of mindfulness, burnout, and stress as well as patient satisfaction while the control group remained largely the same. This pilot provides encouraging results that suggest that replication and further study of mindfulness in the workplace would be beneficial.

Keywords: Burnout; Compassion satisfaction; Inpatient nursing; Mindfulness; Nurse satisfaction; Patient satisfaction; Stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Burnout, Professional / prevention & control
  • Empathy
  • Mindfulness*
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / education*
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Pilot Projects
  • Stress, Psychological