Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

• Committee Chair Name & Credentials:
  Natasha McClure, DNP, CPNP
• Committee Member Name & Credentials:
  Michele Hasselblad, DNP, RN, NE-BC & Ruth Kleinpell, PhD, RN, FAAN

DNP Project Abstract

Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Nurse Wellness Program Evaluation

Purpose
The purpose of this evaluation project was to examine the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) wellness resource program use by the clinical staff for all Vanderbilt adult ambulatory clinics.

Methods
Access to wellness resources, barriers to use, and suggestions for program improvements were assessed using a Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) survey disseminated by email to all VUMC adult ambulatory clinical staff. The mixed qualitative and quantitative survey included nine wellness resource questions (select one best response, choose all that apply, and fill in the blank) and six demographic questions and the survey was open for a 14-day period. An optional 60-minute follow-up focus group session was conducted virtually two weeks after the survey data analysis.

Results
There were 202 VUMC adult ambulatory unit employees surveyed. Employees have used wellness resources 42.70% in the last 12 months. The majority (61.7%) felt supported to use wellness resources. Barriers reported include physical resources not at worksite, lack of time, and lack of resource awareness. Suggestions for improvement included free or discounted gym memberships, mindfulness breaks, and mental health resources. Two VUMC employees participated in the virtual follow-up focus group session and suggested mental health resources, gym memberships, and increased leadership support.

Implications for Practice
Limitations: These findings are limited to adult ambulatory staff at one medical center.

Leadership team members’ awareness of barriers to wellness resource use may enable them to promote resources to staff, consider partnering with gyms for discounts, allowing time for wellness participation during business hours, and restart utilization of Commodore Champions, who act as a role model and promote a culture of wellness on the unit.