A mixed-methods pilot study of a psychoeducational group program for nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: This mixed-methods pilot study aimed to measure the feasibility and acceptability of a psychoeducational group program and determine its impact on mental well-being.

BACKGROUND: The program was developed to promote self-care, growth, and adaptive coping for nurse managers. The program themes were resilience, insight, self-compassion, and empowerment.

METHODS: The sample included 19 hospital-based nurse managers. Outcomes included post-traumatic growth, resilience, insight, self-compassion, empowerment, perceived stress, burnout, and job satisfaction. Paired samples t-tests were conducted to compare outcomes at baseline to follow-up. Qualitative interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to code the qualitative responses by keyword, which were then aggregated into themes.

RESULTS: Participants reported higher post-traumatic growth and psychological empowerment after the intervention. The following six themes emerged most consistently from the qualitative interviews: feasibility of the program, benefits of peer support, sources of stress, barriers to self-care, sources of strength, and sustainability of effects.

CONCLUSIONS: The results support the acceptability and feasibility of the psychoeducational group program.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Healthcare organizations can support and promote the implementation of programs to alleviate burnout and improve mental well-being amid the complex demands of nursing management.