Date of Award
Summer 2023
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Faculty Chair
Dr. Douglas Stephens
Preceptor
Dr. Tasma Robertson
Mentor
Dr. Tareyton Mason
Abstract
Background: Correctional nurses’ function in a high-stress environment due to the nature of their clients and the importance of environmental security. Job stress and satisfaction are theorized relational concepts that influence intent to stay, and turnover as described in the anticipated turnover model. Acute stress can occur in correctional nurses when faced with unexpected or intense situations, such as a medical emergency, a violent incident, or a suicide attempt. Several factors can contribute to acute stress in correctional nurses, leading to overwhelming feelings and making it difficult for nurses to provide quality care.
Purpose: The DNP project aims to implement an evidence-based, theory-based stress reduction program at this Tennessee Correctional Facility. The project focuses on improving stress management and increasing awareness and compliance among prison healthcare workers. The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program focuses on practicing mindfulness to decrease perceived stress levels in healthcare staff who provide direct patient care. Healthy People 2020 goals support the importance of addressing inequalities and enhancing care in correctional healthcare.
Method: This study utilizes a quantitative approach with a pre-post design to assess the effectiveness of an evidence-based stress reduction program in a correctional healthcare facility in West Tennessee. The participants include full-time healthcare staff working in the facility who provide direct patient care, with twelve out of eighteen surveyed nurses agreeing to participate. The project investigated how short-term mindfulness interventions can reduce burnout and perceived stress and reduce the desire to leave the organization.
Results: Organizational transparency demonstrates the need for leadership to expand and improve policies and procedures to include stress reduction programs. Interviews with staff revealed a need for a cultural change regarding health care and mental health (MH) prevention. The project aim is to determine whether stress, perceived stress, and emotional recovery are reduced.
Recommendations: This project helped highlight the importance of addressing perceived stress levels in staff through mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques and provided resources to ensure that the worker intervened frequently.
Recommended Citation
Melton, LaShelle, "Stress Reduction in Correctional Healthcare Workers: A Survey of Healthcare Staff Stress Levels in a Tennessee Correctional Facility using the Perceived Stress Scale" (2023). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 108.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/etds_nursing/108