The MINDBODYSTRONG Intervention for New Nurse Residents: 6‐Month Effects on Mental Health Outcomes, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors, and Job Satisfaction

Abstract

Background In 2017, the National Academy of Medicine convened its Action Collaborative for Clinician Well‐being and Resilience in an effort to stem the epidemic levels of burnout, depression, and suicide among healthcare clinicians. Nurses report higher rates of substance abuse, depression, and suicide than the national average. Newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs) report high levels of burnout and stress. Suboptimal health in nurses is linked to medical errors. Few studies address the mental health and lifestyle behaviors of NLRNs or provide evidence‐based solutions to improve these outcomes. Aims This study evaluated the 6‐month effects of the MINDBODYSTRONG for Healthcare Professionals program on the mental health, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and job satisfaction of NLRNs participating in a nurse residency program. Methods A two‐group randomized controlled trial was conducted with 89 NLRNs at a large, Midwestern academic medical center. The intervention group received eight 30– to 35‐min weekly sessions as part of the MINDBODYSTRONG program, a cognitive behavioral skill‐building program incorporating strategies to improve mental and physical health. The control group acted as the attention control group receiving eight weekly 30– to 35‐min debriefing sessions as part of the normal nurse residency program. Results Data were collected at baseline, immediately postintervention, 3 months postintervention, and 6 months postintervention. The intervention group scored better on mental health outcomes, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and job satisfaction at 6 months postintervention than the control group. Significant improvements were found for depressive symptoms and job satisfaction; there were moderate to large positive effects for the MINDBODYSTRONG program on all variables. Linking Evidence to Action The MINDBODYSTRONG program sustained its positive effects across time and has excellent potential as an evidence‐based intervention for improving the mental health, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and job satisfaction in NLRNs.

Effect of a brief cognitive behavioral program on depressive symptoms among newly licensed registered nurses: An observational study

“…Therefore, we consider that CBP will be of use as a universal prevention or intervention course. Previous research in a similar target population (NLRNs), but using a randomized control design, also revealed that CBP was effective against depressive symptoms in their entire cohort [13]. Our results support this finding and strengthen the evidence in favor of using CBP for NLRNs.…”

“…This longitudinal observational survey with follow-up every 3 months confirmed that CBP [13,14], neuroticism [20,21], and recent workplace adversity were associated with depressive…”

“…Besides the main findings of CBP effect, the trends in the BDI scores for each survey revealed interest implications: We clarified the time course of depressive symptoms based on the BDI score, with evidence showing that scores tended to deteriorate after starting the work (baseline 0), remained somewhat higher for half a year and then stabilized. This implied that interventions to prevent depressive symptoms, such as CBP, should be planned early after starting work [13], consistent with our approach.…”

Clinician Mental Health and Well‐Being During Global Healthcare Crises: Evidence Learned From Prior Epidemics for COVID‐19 Pandemic

“…Such symptoms were likely due to healthcare professionals coping with the deaths of colleagues, losing control, feeling vulnerable, working excessive hours, and witnessing the breakdown of social support systems, all the while fearing for their health and safety (Maunder et al, 2006), not to mention managing family responsibilities and other life stressors that do not dissipate during the infectious outbreaks. Acceptance, active coping, cognitive-behavioral skills building, stress-reduction strategies, mindfulness, deep breathing, gratitude, positive framing, and health coaching, along with programs such as MINDBODYSTRONG (Sampson, Melnyk, & Hoying, 2020), have been shown through research to be successful strategies to improve mental health and well-being (Melnyk et al, in press). We also must reduce stigma and increase awareness of and screening for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder among healthcare professionals and put systems in place to deal effectively with them.…”

Burnout, Depression and Suicide in Nurses/Clinicians and Learners: An Urgent Call for Action to Enhance Professional Well‐being and Healthcare Safety

“…Screening programs should be offered and counseling in the form of cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) should be made available for those clinicians and students who are affected as it is the gold standard evidence‐based treatment for depression and anxiety (Melnyk et al, ). Findings from a recent randomized controlled trial by Sampson Melnyk and Hoying () in this special themed issue that used a CBT‐based program entitled MINDBODYSTRONG with new nurse residents indicated short‐ and more long‐term decreases in depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress as well as increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors and job satisfaction in the nurses who received this intervention versus those who received an attention control program (Sampson, Melnyk, & Hoying, ). We cannot wait for decades as we have done in so many areas to translate evidence‐based interventions, such as MINDBODYSTRONG and mindfulness programs, into real‐world clinical settings to improve outcomes in clinicians and learners.…”