Exhausted and burned out: results of a survey of nurse practitioners
Jessica Peck, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CNL, FAAN, FAAN, clinical professor of nursing, Baylor University, Dallas, Texas, and Jennifer Sonney, PhD, APRN, PPCNP-BC, FAANP, assistant professor at University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle, Washington, discussed the results of a survey showing the impact of COVID-19 on the pediatric APRN workforce, and analyzed potential future downstream impacts of APRN burnout and exhaustion.
The immediate impacts of this survey on how COVID-19 has impacted the nurse practitioner work force, noted the presenters and lead investigators, Peck and Sonney, included health disparities, the mental health crisis, economic distress, and misinformation, while long-term impacts include employment, education, and research, among other things. The survey highlighted several important statistics::
73% of nurse practitioners (NPs) reported child and behavioral health concerns
33% reported professional moderate or extreme burnout
26% reported moderate or extreme anxiety
70% of educators reported clinical training site shortage.
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) is responding in kind, with position statements that include promoting the pediatric nurse practitioner workforce pipeline; creating TeamPeds Town Halls, Facebook Live events, and podcasts. Additionally, policy and advocacy to address these issues will include official statements, media engagement, social media engagement, policy sign-ons, committee representation and partnership with the American Nurses Association.
NAPNAP, the presenters underscored, aims to reassess the holistic impacts of COVID-19 on its NAPNAPmembers, which will be used to further inform strategies to use organizational resources to support its members.
Reference
Peck J, Sonney J. Updates on NAPNAP’s study: Exhausted and burned out: COVID-19 emerging impacts threaten the health of the pediatric advanced practice registered nursing workforce. 43rd National Conference on Pediatric Health Care. March 23, 2022; Dallas, Texas.
