The Mindfulness Minute For Caregiver Wellbeing

Purpose {What): Research has shown a correlation between stress and job burnout. The Minute Project was developed as a simple tool for caregivers to reduce stress. Our intention is that when stress is reduced, burnout will also be reduced. This tool can be used anytime throughout the day to help our caregivers. Significance {Why): The wellbeing of caregivers in a hospital setting have been challenged over the past 2-3 years. Research has shown that mindfulness practices have an impact on stress levels by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Given the limited education resources, we felt that addressing the stress levels on the floor--in real time--would be the best approach. The Mindfulness Minute Project will provide a tool for nurses to utilize to interrupts the fight or flight mechanism and increase wellbeing Strategy and Implementation (How): This pre-post intervention pilot project was implemented on four medical, surgical, and telemetry units. The MM intervention was an interprofessional effort composed of nurse champions and the spiritual care team rounding twice a day (7700, 7430) for 3 weeks. During the MM, chaplains would go through each participating unit and ring a soft bell. The bell indicates it is time to start your mindfulness minute. If it was safe, staff were asked to stop what they are doing and for one minute do the mindfulness practice taught on the Mindfulness Minute video/audio available via QR code or email. Data was measured by pre and post long surveys and a Stress 0-70 Scale. Evaluation/Outcomes (So what): The long pre and post survey which was a combination of 76 questions on the Oldenburg Burnout Scale, and five questions in the WHO Wellbeing Scale. Of these 76 questions, there were only 2 questions showing statistical significance. However, the short survey 0-70 Stress Scale, did show statistical significance in pre and post stress scores which shows short term stress reduction. Implications for Practice (And now): There was a low turnout in survey participation on the floor which reflects either how extremely busy the caregivers are, or it reveals their actual burnout. The next question is how can we give ourselves permission to take one minute out of 720 minutes per shift to care for ourselves