Resilience Rising – a 6-week Wellness Program for Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of a six-week wellness program—Resilience Rising—on reducing anxiety and post-traumatic stress among healthcare workers (HCWs) in a Blended Chronic Ventilator Unit during the ongoing psychological strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific goals included: Reducing Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) scores by at least 2 points Decreasing medication errors by 20% Improving staff retention METHODS: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project utilized a 6-week wellness program, Resilience Rising, aimed at improving the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) in a Blended Chronic Ventilator Unit. The program incorporated a variety of therapeutic activities designed to address anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and burnout among healthcare professionals. The methods included: Participants: Forty-five healthcare professionals participated in the wellness program, which was designed to be engaging and restorative. Intervention: The program included six weekly sessions that featured: Floral arranging Painting Pet therapy (with a coffee barista) Group therapy with a psychologist Yoga and meditation Communal potluck to promote social connection and relaxation RESULTS: STSS Scores: Dropped significantly from an average of 35.8 to 11.1 Medication Errors: Decreased from three to one during the program Staff Turnover: No terminations in September 2024 and fewer in the following months IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The program demonstrated measurable benefits for healthcare worker mental health, contributing to the broader national efforts to combat burnout, anxiety, and psychological distress in the healthcare sector. Integrating routine wellness initiatives like Resilience Rising may be a vital strategy for improving both employee well-being and patient care outcomes.