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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to acquire a knowledge about an Emotional Literacy Program for nurses incorporating the concept of mindfulness.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to utilize the present study for improving the mental health of nurses.
The turnover rate of nurses is high in Japan, being 11.9% for full-time nurses and 8.9% for new graduate nurses according to a survey of the Japanese Nursing Association in fiscal year 2009. “Too much duty” was the most common (64.4%) complaint and stressor resulting in dissatisfaction with their job which made nurses consider leaving. In particular, “to feel uneasy about having a medical accident” accounted for a high proportion (81.1%) of anxiety in the workplace for nurses aged 20-39 years. Nurses working in such an environment tend to have high depression scores compared to women in the general population.
Koyano (2007) performed a randomized controlled trial(RCT) in new graduate nurses, who have a high turnover rate, by applying a program using emotional intelligence theory. The results revealed that energy was better maintained and mental health was better retained in the intervention group than in the control group. However, the “emotional intelligence” used in this study is a theory that has drawn attention in the business society and is more like emotional management that requires changes. According to the above-described survey results, nurses often feel uneasy and tend to be depressed. Therefore, modifications to reduce uneasiness and depression are required in the program for these subjects.
The present study updates and restructures the existing program by incorporating the concept of’ mindfulness’ that has drawn attention in recent years because of its effect on the prevention of depression recurrence.
The present study is expected to be utilized for improving the mental health of nurses, and it is important to evaluate this program’s effectiveness by applying it in the future.
See more of: World Academy of Nursing Science: Oral Paper & Posters