Reducing Stress Among SRNAs: Implementation of a Pre-Matriculation Wellness Module

Abstract

High stress levels are a common theme among student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) leading to unwanted physical and emotional manifestations such as anxiety and depression, addictive behavior, lack of coordination, tachycardia, and chest pain. Negative coping mechanisms such as avoidance behavior, use of drugs and alcohol, and withdrawal occur frequently among SRNAs; therefore, they could benefit from education on ways to properly cope with stress and maintain adequate wellness throughout nurse anesthesia school. The purpose of this pilot project was to evaluate whether a pre-matriculation online learning module resulted in a significant difference in the average knowledge of wellness and stress management techniques among SRNAs. The learning module was introduced to the Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia class of 2023 during their orientation in February of 2020, and knowledge was evaluated with an immediate posttest and two more posttests during the 14-week 2020 Summer Trimester. With low participation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this project was turned into a case study, therefore, no statistical analysis was drawn. Due to this, no conclusions could be made, and the project should be repeated with a bigger sample size in the future.

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