Abstract
Background: COVID-19 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, nurturing environment for processing difficult experiences.
Methods: This mixed-methods 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. In Q1 2024, 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 $1,277,656.03, 12 months post-intervention.
Qualitative data collected from participants revealed positive outcomes. Nurses reported feeling "truly cared about for the first time in my life" and "this was the first workshop that I felt 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 available 48 spots. This surge in interest highlights the critical need for such programs to support the well-being of healthcare professionals.
Limitations: Retreats 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.
Conclusion: Overnight Nurse Renewal Retreats provide a valuable investment in the well-being of healthcare professionals. By offering a safe space for processing difficult experiences, these retreats empower individuals to reconnect to their purpose and heal from occupational stress and trauma. The results demonstrate significant benefits in terms of retention, job satisfaction, and cost savings.
Notes
References:
1. Trauma-Informed Care in Nursing Practice:
Citation: Choi, J., & Mayer, C. (2023). Trauma-Informed Care in Nursing Practice. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(10), 11–17. [invalid URL removed]
Relevance: This article provides a comprehensive overview of trauma-informed care principles and how to apply them in nursing practice. It emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and empowering environment for patients and staff, aligning with the core values of your nurse renewal retreats.
2. Implementing Trauma-Informed Care:
Citation: American Nurse Journal. (2022, June 2). Implementing trauma-informed care. American Nurse Journal. https://www.myamericannurse.com/implementing-trauma-informed-care/
Relevance: This resource offers practical guidance on integrating trauma-informed care into daily nursing interactions. It highlights key strategies like recognizing trauma's impact, prioritizing safety, and fostering collaboration, which are likely incorporated into your retreat activities.
3. The Importance of Trauma-Informed Care in Nursing:
Citation: NurseJournal.org. (2023, November 14). The Importance Of Trauma-Informed Care In Nursing. NurseJournal.org. https://nursejournal.org/articles/the-importance-of-trauma-informed-care-in-nursing/
Relevance: This article emphasizes the shift in perspective that trauma-informed care necessitates, moving from "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?" This aligns with the focus on empathy and understanding within your renewal retreats, creating a space for nurses to process their own experiences.
4. Trauma-Informed Care and Compassion Fatigue:
Citation: Rushton, C. H., Batcheller, J., Schroeder, K., & Donelan, K. (2015). Trauma-informed care and compassion fatigue: A critical review of the literature. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 26(4), 378–388.
Relevance: This review explores the link between trauma-informed care and compassion fatigue, a significant concern for nurses experiencing burnout and secondary trauma. It provides evidence for how trauma-informed practices can mitigate compassion fatigue, supporting the potential benefits of your retreats.
5. Creating a Trauma-Informed Health Care System:
Citation: SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. (2014). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). [invalid URL removed]
Relevance: This seminal work from SAMHSA provides a foundational understanding of trauma and its impact, outlining the key principles of a trauma-informed approach. While focused on healthcare systems, the core concepts are applicable to your nurse renewal retreats in creating a safe and healing environment.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Stress and Coping, Continuing Education, Clinical Practice, Workplace Culture, Well-being, Mindfulness, Retreats
Recommended Citation
Rose, Julie Wild and Calabro, Emily, "Investing in Nurse Well-Being" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 214.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/214
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, 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. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-08
Investing in Nurse Well-Being
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Background: COVID-19 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, nurturing environment for processing difficult experiences.
Methods: This mixed-methods 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. In Q1 2024, 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 $1,277,656.03, 12 months post-intervention.
Qualitative data collected from participants revealed positive outcomes. Nurses reported feeling "truly cared about for the first time in my life" and "this was the first workshop that I felt 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 available 48 spots. This surge in interest highlights the critical need for such programs to support the well-being of healthcare professionals.
Limitations: Retreats 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.
Conclusion: Overnight Nurse Renewal Retreats provide a valuable investment in the well-being of healthcare professionals. By offering a safe space for processing difficult experiences, these retreats empower individuals to reconnect to their purpose and heal from occupational stress and trauma. The results demonstrate significant benefits in terms of retention, job satisfaction, and cost savings.
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.