Other Titles
Rapid Presentation Round
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already high rates of moral distress, trauma, and burnout among healthcare professionals. To address these challenges, the Nursing and Allied Health Resilience and Well-Being Program partnered with an external organization to offer overnight nurse renewal retreats. These retreats aim to empower nurses to rediscover their passion, purpose, and connection to their profession by providing a safe and nurturing environment for processing difficult experiences.
Methods: This mixed-methods feasibility pilot study was conducted in two hospitals within a 12-hospital system in Washington state. Participants engaged in journaling, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, yoga, self-compassion, and healing circles to promote self-awareness, cognitive reframing, and healing. Qualitative data focused on satisfaction were collected to evaluate the program's effectiveness.
Results: The intervention cost $750 per nurse. By the end of 2023, 98 nurses from 7 hospitals attended a retreat. Twelve months post-intervention, data confirmed a 98% retention rate among these nurses, compared to the national turnover rate of 32.8% for new nurses and 35.71% for experienced nurses. This represents annualized savings of $1,277,656.
Qualitative data collected from participants revealed positive outcomes. Nurses reported feeling "truly cared about for the first time in my life" and "safe and open to express my inner most feelings about work." These comments highlight the program's ability to create a supportive and safe environment for processing difficult emotions and experiences.
Despite initial challenges in filling the retreats, demand has exponentially increased, with 240 nurses requesting to attend for the currently available 48 spots. This surge in interest highlights the critical need for such programs to support the well-being of healthcare professionals.
Limitations: The project over two years included a relatively small sample size and relied on self-reported data. Ongoing research is exploring the long-term impact of the intervention.
Notes
References: A Nurse Leader’s Guide to Reducing Burnout:: Strategies to Improve Well-Being Author links open overlay panelLesly A. Kelly PhD, RN, FAAN, Marla J. Weston PhD, RN, FAAN, Perry M. Gee PhD, RN
Received 17 March 2021, Accepted 24 March 2021, Available online 24 April 2021, Version of Record 21 September 2021
The severity of moral distress in nurses: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Nader Salari,1 Shamarina Shohaimi,2 Behnam Khaledi-Paveh,3 Mohsen Kazeminia,4 Mohammad-Rafi Bazrafshan,5 and Masoud Mohammadi,6 Published online 2022 Nov 9. doi: 10.1186/s13010-022-00126-0
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Recommended Citation
Rose, Julie Wild, "Investing in Well-Being: The Return on Investment of Nurse Renewal Retreats" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 140.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/presentations_2025/140
Conference Name
Stress and Coping, COVID-19, Burnout, Retreats
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Investing in Well-Being: The Return on Investment of Nurse Renewal Retreats
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already high rates of moral distress, trauma, and burnout among healthcare professionals. To address these challenges, the Nursing and Allied Health Resilience and Well-Being Program partnered with an external organization to offer overnight nurse renewal retreats. These retreats aim to empower nurses to rediscover their passion, purpose, and connection to their profession by providing a safe and nurturing environment for processing difficult experiences.
Methods: This mixed-methods feasibility pilot study was conducted in two hospitals within a 12-hospital system in Washington state. Participants engaged in journaling, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, yoga, self-compassion, and healing circles to promote self-awareness, cognitive reframing, and healing. Qualitative data focused on satisfaction were collected to evaluate the program's effectiveness.
Results: The intervention cost $750 per nurse. By the end of 2023, 98 nurses from 7 hospitals attended a retreat. Twelve months post-intervention, data confirmed a 98% retention rate among these nurses, compared to the national turnover rate of 32.8% for new nurses and 35.71% for experienced nurses. This represents annualized savings of $1,277,656.
Qualitative data collected from participants revealed positive outcomes. Nurses reported feeling "truly cared about for the first time in my life" and "safe and open to express my inner most feelings about work." These comments highlight the program's ability to create a supportive and safe environment for processing difficult emotions and experiences.
Despite initial challenges in filling the retreats, demand has exponentially increased, with 240 nurses requesting to attend for the currently available 48 spots. This surge in interest highlights the critical need for such programs to support the well-being of healthcare professionals.
Limitations: The project over two years included a relatively small sample size and relied on self-reported data. Ongoing research is exploring the long-term impact of the intervention.
Description
Nurse renewal retreats, leveraging trauma-informed care and mindfulness, offer a safe space for healthcare professionals to heal from moral distress, trauma, and burnout. These retreats have shown significant benefits in improving well-being, reducing turnover, and enhancing job satisfaction among nurses. With a cost-effective approach, these retreats are a valuable investment in supporting the mental health and resilience of healthcare professionals.