Background: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted nurses' compassionate presence during stressful conditions. Strategies to reduce workplace stress are needed.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a stress reduction strategy, an Internet-based Mantram Repetition Program (MRP), for nurses caring for hospitalized Veterans.
Methods: A one group pre-/post-test design was used to assess change in nurses' perceived outcomes after participating in the MRP. A post-test-only design was used to assess hospitalized Veterans' perceptions of nursing presence and satisfaction with care. Qualitative interviews were used to supplement quantitative data.
Findings: Patients perceived high levels of presence and satisfaction with care. Post MRP, nurses perceived increased mindfulness, compassion satisfaction, spiritual well-being, and nursing presence. Increased mindfulness was associated with greater compassion satisfaction and less burnout.
Discussion: For nurses working on the front lines of patient care, the potential for experiencing stress and burnout is a reality. Participating in a MRP could lessen these effects and facilitate nursing presence.
Keywords: Burnout; Job satisfaction; Mantram Repetition Program; Nursing presence; Patient-centered care; Veterans health.
Published by Elsevier Inc.