An intervention to address nurse educators' occupational well-being: A process evaluation.

BACKGROUND: There is a global need for more support for the occupational well-being of educators working in nurse education, where nurse educators experience challenges when managing their own occupational well-being. However, there is a lack of research studies into occupational well-being interventions. Aim To evaluate the usability and utility of the Self-Help INtervention for Educators in nurse education. DESIGN: A process evaluation was conducted after the intervention in Spring 2022. SETTINGS: Educational organisations providing national regulated practical nurse education in Finland. PARTICIPANTS: Nurse educators (n = 37), completing the 8-workweek intervention. METHODS: Data were collected with the self-reported electronic feedback questionnaire consisting of three sections: 1) 10-item System Usability Scale, 2) 7-item Utility scale developed for this study and 3) 4 open ended questions. The data were analysed statistically and with content analysis. RESULTS: The intervention was found to be usable; especially the easy learnability and usage of the digital Smart Break-SHINE program and the applicable exercises. It was estimated to be moderately useful as a well-being and break promoter at work. The utility of the intervention to promote physical activity and recovery during working hours was statistically more positive for educators with <5 years of work experience than those with over 15 years. Usability and utility barriers were found especially regarding workload issues. CONCLUSIONS: The Self-Help INtervention for Educators supports the occupational well-being of nurse educators and includes well-being actions suitable for different work surroundings (e.g., remote working) without the need for constant facilitating. The intervention was found to be most beneficial for early career nurse educators. The Self-Help INtervention for Educators needs more development to overcome the usability and utility barriers related to workload issues.

Effectiveness of an Occupational Well-being Intervention Among Nurse Educators: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: Occupational well-being supports the retention of the nurse educator workforce and their ability to manage workload. There is a research gap regarding interventions promoting occupational well-being. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-workweek digital occupational well-being intervention using self-conducted exercises among nurse educators in secondary vocational nursing schools in Finland. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study design was applied using an intervention group (n = 37) and a control group (n = 40). Data were collected at baseline, post, and 1-month follow-up using a questionnaire and a heart rate sensor to assess the resource-workload-balance and its associating and promoting factors. RESULTS: This study found no statistical effects on the resource-workload-balance. Positive effects were found on associating factors (general well-being) and promoting factors (recovery experiences and self-regulation). CONCLUSIONS: Self-Help INtervention for Educators (SHINE) has the potential to promote recovery experiences during working hours; however, the intervention needs more investigation.