Nurse Leader Mindfulness Meditation Program for Stress Management

A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: 

The aim of this study was to rigorously evaluate a brief stress management intervention for nurse leaders.

Background: 

Despite the nursing shortage, evidence-based workplace approaches addressing nurse stress have not been well studied.

Methods: 

Nurse leaders (n = 33) were randomly assigned to brief mindfulness meditation course (MMC) or leadership course (control). Self-report measures of stress were administered at baseline and within 1 week of course completion.

Results: 

Among MMC participants, change scores (from baseline to postintervention) on several subscales of the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised showed significantly more improvement in self-reported stress symptoms relative to controls. Mindfulness meditation course participants had significantly more improvement in Positive Symptom Distress Index (P = 0.010; confidence interval [CI] = −0.483 to −0.073) and Global Severity Index (P = 0.019; CI = −0.475 to −0.046) and nearly significantly more improvement in Positive Symptom Total (P = 0.066; CI = −16.66 to 0.581) compared with controls.

Conclusion: 

Results support preliminary effectiveness of a 4-week MMC in reducing self-reported stress symptoms among nursing leaders.