Abstract
Nurse anesthesia program directors are leaders, educators, practitioners, and managers of their nurse anesthesia educational system. The impression of program directors on student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) cannot be understated. Research has shown that leadership mindfulness is positively related in subordinates’ positive affect and job satisfaction while negatively related to negative affect and emotional exhaustion. Negative mental and physical stressors that impact the wellbeing of SRNAs throughout their education journey have been well documented in the literature. SRNAs experience anxiety, agitation, decreased concentration, headaches, nervousness, sleep disturbances, overuse of alcohol, eating disorders, and digestion disorders. Almost 50% of SRNAs experience depression. Over 20% of SRNAs have suicidal ideations during their education. Student stress from role adaptation, negative financial impact, and challenging educational experiences may be mitigated through interactions with mindful leaders and educators. As educational leaders in the nursing anesthesia profession, program directors have direct interactions with the development and progress of SRNAs throughout their nurse anesthesia training. To evaluate the impact of program directors on SRNA wellbeing, the purpose of this study explored a relationship between program directors’ level of mindfulness and SRNA wellbeing at nurse anesthesiology programs in the United States.
As a nested/multilevel data structure (SRNAs nested under program directors), the research was completed through quantitative methods. The independent variable was defined as anesthesiology program directors’ level of mindfulness, measured through a fifteen-item Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). The dependent variable was defined as SRNA wellbeing, measured through the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Each nurse anesthesiology program director was sent the MAAS along with a specific identifier. At the conclusion of their survey, a request was made to send the PANAS and the same identifier to their respective students. To test the hypotheses of the study, Pearson correlations were performed between the program director mindfulness scores and the positive and negative affect scores of the SRNAs. The correlation between program director mindfulness and SRNA positive affect was not significant (r = .00, p = .986). The correlation between program director mindfulness and SRNA negative affect was not significant (r = .04, p = .625). These results indicate that there is no significant relationship between program director mindfulness (as measured by the MAAS) and SRNA wellbeing (as measured by the PANAS).
While no significant relationship was found in this study, the negative aspects of SRNA wellbeing remain. A mandatory, 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course at the beginning of the SRNA educational journey is proposed as a solution. The positive correlation between mindfulness and positive wellbeing is well documented in the literature in a variety of disciplines and settings. The course establishes attributes like inner satisfaction, improved attitudes, resilience, improved relationships, and enrichment of personal experiences. An increase in mindfulness is considered a potential path to improvement- including wellbeing. Positive wellbeing encompasses hope, resilience, optimism, and efficacy. The focus of mindfulness on the SRNA, rather than nurse anesthesia program director, may have a direct impact in their educational journey. This additional coursework can affect interactions within the nurse anesthesia profession, between colleagues, the healthcare team, and patients under their care throughout their career.