Stress Impact and Care for COVID-19: Pilot Education and Support Course Decreases Burnout Among Nursing Students

• Published in: Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Vol. 29; no. 5; pp. 10783903231186997 - 374
• Main Authors: Peterson, Kerry, Mundo, William, McGladrey, Laura, Aagaard, Laurra M., Stalder, Sarah, Cook, Paul F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-09-2023
• Subjects: COVID-19; stress; nursing students; burnout; program evaluation; stress injuries
• ISSN: 1078-3903; 1532-5725
• DOI: 10.1177/10783903231186997

BACKGROUND:
Nurses and nursing students have been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, often working in conditions that produce stress injuries and burnout. Early recognition and mitigation of stress and emotional trauma help prevent burnout.
AIMS:
To evaluate the effectiveness of an online 8-hour stress awareness course and associated 1-hour support group in reducing stress and burnout among nursing students.
METHODS:
We conducted a program evaluation for an online stress awareness pilot course offered to nursing students. The course, and associated support groups led by trained psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students, included a common language for talking about stress, screening tools for recognizing stress injuries, and strategies for improving self-care. Students completed pre- and post-course surveys. Outcome measures included changes on course learning objectives, level of burnout, health-related locus of control, and experiences of stress and coping.
RESULTS:
Nursing students (n = 360) enrolled in the course, and 224 (62%) completed pre- and post-course surveys. Sixty percent rated the course excellent or very good. Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales and Impact of Event Scale Revised scores were within established normal ranges. There was a significant increase in all nine course learning objectives (p < .001) and decreased signs of stress (p < .001). Students’ level of burnout decreased by odds ratio = 0.58 (95% CI: [0.4, 0.9], p < .006).
CONCLUSIONS:
Nursing leaders can use psychoeducational strategies to mitigate the impact of stress, build confidence, and support nursing students entering the workforce during these unprecedented times.