Nurses experience high levels of stress which can negatively impact patient care. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) focuses on intentional self-regulation and has been shown to increase job satisfaction while decreasing stress and burnout. The study will implement a body scan MBSR approach on two surgical units to help nurses become more aware of their own stress levels and improve patient safety and quality of care.

1. Utilizing Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) For Nurses’ Stress Levels
Joiner, Laura and Richardson, Jennifer
Curricular Theme: Context, Health & Healing: Professional Nursing Care
Any individual has the ability to perform to his or her own highest potential
possible when the body and mind are at harmony with themselves and the environment
that surrounds them. When stress is present within the mind and body it negatively
affects the physical and mental health of the individual1. This leads to increased
depression, decreased job satisfaction, and psychological distress1. Ultimately as a result
of this stress, it affects the ability to care effectively for patients due to decreased
empathy, focus, cognitive ability, and sleep2. Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR)
focuses on conscious discipline of intentional self-regulation. It has the potential to
increase positive qualities in health care providers, leading to improved patient safety and
quality of care2. Additionally, it has been shown to increase job satisfaction and decrease
stress and burnout 3,4.
The facilitators will implement a body scan approach using visual cues as a
MBSR on two surgical units that have been assessed for high stress. The body scan
approach to MBSR has been suggested to decrease stress in healthcare workers4. This
involves closing one’s eyes to be attentive to each portion of the body, relaxing as your
focus moves throughout. Following completion of this activity, participants can respond
to a series of reflective questions regarding the activity and their stress. Through
participation of this MBSR activity, the health care team will increase awareness of one’s
own self and in turn will improve patient safety and quality of care.
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2. Footnotes
1. Golubic, R., Milosevic, M., Knezevic, B., & Mustajbegovic, J. (2009). Work-
related stress, education and work ability among hospital nurses. Journal of
advanced nursing, 65(10), 2056-2066. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05057.x
2. Smith, S. (2014). Mindfulness-based stress reduction: An intervention to enhance
the effectiveness of nurses’ coping with work-related stress. International journal
of nursing knowledge, 25(2), 119-130. doi: 10.1111/2047-3095.12025
3. Makinen, A., Kivimaki, M., Elovainio, M., & Virtanen. (2003). Organization of
nursing care and stressful work characteristics. Nursing and health care
management issues, 43(2) 197-205. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02694.x
4. Shapiro, S. L., Schwartz, G. E., & Bonner, G. (1998). Effects of mindfulness-
based stress reduction on medical and premedical students. Journal of behavioral
medicine, 21(6), 581-599.