Evaluating Mindfulness-Based Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Burnout Among Public Health Nurses in North Carolina

Abstract

Abstract

The aim of this project was to assess changes in exhaustion and disengagement following an eight-week structured mindfulness program among local public health registered nurses in North Carolina, Region 2. Burnout remains a critical challenge affecting nurse well-being, job satisfaction, and workforce retention (Ma et al., 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting workforce shortages have intensified stress and workload pressures, particularly in North Carolina (Suran, 2023). Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce emotional exhaustion and improve psychological resilience (Wang et al., 2023), making them a promising approach for addressing burnout in the public health nursing workforce. Eligible participants worked an average of at least 30 hours per week and had over two years of direct patient care experience at a local health department in Region 2. The intervention, Mindfulness Practices for the Healthcare Workforce, was provided virtually through the North Carolina Area Health Education Center. The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) measured burnout dimensions pre- and post-intervention. Twenty-one nurses enrolled, with 19 meeting eligibility and 10 completing the full intervention. Mean OLBI scores decreased from 35.58 (SD = 4.21) to 34.56 (SD = 5.32), reflecting a modest reduction in burnout. A paired t-test indicated the change was not statistically significant (t = 1.15, p = 0.29). While statistical significance was not achieved, the project demonstrated that mindfulness-based education is a feasible, low-cost strategy to enhance nurse well-being. Implemented through an Academic Health Department model, it offers a scalable approach to strengthen workforce resilience and address burnout in public health nursing.