Title: Resolving nurse burnout and improving nurse wellness: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Amber Heinrich, BS, MHA and Bruce Lazar, MBA, DM
Volume: 8
Issue: 8
Pages: 23-27
Publication Date: 2024/08/28
Abstract:
Burnout among nurses delivering services has been a major issue in the healthcare system, and healthcare leaders struggle to find ways to combat burnout and improve well-being. Healthcare leaders must address this issue; otherwise, the well-being of nurses will continue to deteriorate. This systematic literature review aims to identify strategies and practical methods that healthcare leaders can use to effectively combat burnout and improve the overall wellness of nurses when delivering services. A search of the literature transpired using CINAHL, MEDLINE, and APA PsycINFO academic databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Guidelines. Data from 22 relevant articles were carefully analyzed using a screening process directly related to the research question. The authors identified four themes that emerged from the literature during the data analysis process. These four themes included strategies and methods for nurse burnout and wellness (54%), healthcare leadership for nurse wellness and burnout (41%), burnout in nurses delivering care (77%), and combatting burnout and improving the wellness of nurses (64%). The result emphasized that promoting resilience, incorporating rest breaks, implementing mindfulness-based interventions, reducing isolation by enhancing team support and efficiency, integrating work-life balance initiatives and education, fostering a supportive work environment, and establishing policies or programs are vital components to developing effective strategies and practical methods to alleviate burnout and enhance the wellness of nurses during care delivery. The outcomes also demonstrated that enhancing the overall wellness of nurses who deliver services could improve patients' healthcare. These findings provide healthcare leaders with actionable strategies and practical methods to effectively combat burnout, increase staff retention, improve the overall wellness of nurses during service delivery, and strengthen organizational reputation.