Date of Award

4-28-2022

Document Type

Restricted Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Joyce P. Miller DNP, RN

Second Advisor

Jacqueline Sumner, DNP, RN

Third Advisor

Kristin McHale, DNP, RN

Abstract

Ambulatory float nurses at a large Midwestern medical center are experiencing emotional and psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ambulatory float nurses were reassigned to pandemic-related activities with very short notice and for an extended duration of time. In addition, compounding factors such as minimal and ineffective communication, dramatic changes in work schedules, the absence of connectedness with their colleagues, and isolation that came with working from home occurred. The new nurse manager recognized that the ambulatory float nurses were suffering from emotional distress and a loss of psychological safety. In an attempt to begin to resolve these issues, individual listening sessions with the ambulatory float nurses are planned, built on the foundation of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and the principles of transformational leadership. Concepts shared by these two philosophies include open communication, active listening, and creating a psychologically safe environment through authentic presence. After the listening sessions, results will be interpreted using thematic content analysis and if favorable, should be shared with other nurse leaders across the Midwest medical center to promote psychological safety and emotional well- being of all nurses. Nurse leaders are responsible for providing a psychologically safe environment and the facilitation of emotional healing in their nursing teams.

Identifier

SC 11.MAN.2022.Decker.MM

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