Evaluating the Effectiveness of BREATHE for Nurse Practitioners During COVID Pandemic

Highlights

• The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has resulted in high stress levels amongst healthcare professionals.

• Individuals respond differently to stressors.

• Staff burnout is likely to extend beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The loss of patients and the emotional stress associated with the pandemic may set a huge stage for possible mental disorders.

• Nurse Practitioners experienced significant emotional exhaustion and depersonalization before participating in the BREATHE program.

Abstract

The current health care system incorporates multidimensional strategies of improving patients’ care experiences, promoting the health of populations, and reducing per capita cost of health care. These strategies include reducing readmission rates by keeping patients in the community and out of the skilled nursing facilities. Unfortunately, patients’ outcomes were severely threatened during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic due to staff burnout. This project evaluates the effectiveness of the BREATHE program on the perceived stress level of nurse practitioners during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization decreased 1 month after nurse practitioners completed the program.