Date of Conferral
5-15-2025
Date of Award
May 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Sue Bell
Abstract
Walden University College of Nursing This is to certify that the doctoral study by Nadine Kakanou has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Sue Bell, Committee Chairperson, Nursing Faculty Dr. Mary Bemker Houghtaling, Committee Member, Nursing Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Summary Burnout rates among mental healthcare workers remain a concern affected by the increasing demands of the profession and the COVID-19 pandemic. The identified practice gap among mental healthcare staff members at the northern United States urban outpatient psychiatric clinic was inadequate stress-coping measures, leading to an increase in the self-reported burnout rate from 40% to 65% over the last 3 months. If unaddressed, stress and staff burnout continue, affecting patient care delivery and jeopardizing its quality. The clinical question directing the project was: Can mindfulness education help to reduce the nursing staff burnout rate in an urban psychiatric outpatient clinic in the northern United States? The aim of the project was to educate on and improve the staff members’ knowledge of strategies for burnout prevention and self-management of burnout symptoms in their professional and personal lives. Project evaluation data were collected from eight participants using a pre- and posteducation knowledge questionnaire. A paired t test was performed to determine if there was a significant statistical difference in the mean scores before and after the education. The project findings demonstrated no statistically significant change from pretest (M = 6.88, SD = 2.75) to posttest (M = 6.38, SD = 2.88), t (7) = 1.53, p = .170. Clinical significance was shown by a small (7.27%) decrease in the staff members’ burnout rates and their self-reported adoption of mindfulness techniques in their eating and other behaviors. Positive social change may occur when staff members are actively supported by management in handling stress through burnout prevention initiatives and other efforts by management to create a healthier work environment.
Recommended Citation
Kakanou, Nadine G., "Implementing a Mindfulness Program to Reduce Burnout Rates" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17777.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17777
