Supporting New Graduate Nurses: Mental Wellness Resources and Burnout Prevention
Major
Nursing, BSN
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Nursing
Faculty Advisor
Lindsey Kellar
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-11-2026 8:30 AM
End Date
4-11-2026 9:45 AM
Abstract
Nursing is a demanding profession, with acute care nurses exposed to high stress environments, long shifts, and emotionally challenging patient care situations. These factors increase the risk of burnout, defined as a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Burnout affects nurses’ mental health and negatively impacts patient outcomes, staff retention, and overall healthcare quality. New graduate nurses (NGN) are particularly vulnerable during this transition from school to professional practice, a period often associated with increased reports of anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion. As burnout rises among NGN, the likelihood of leaving their position within the first year also increases. The loss of NGN carries a significant burden for healthcare organizations, as the cost of recruiting, hiring, and training a single nurse is reported to be between $3000-8000. If NGN leave their positions, the hospital loses around $40,000/nurse, on average. The United States (US) is in the midst of an unprecedented nursing shortage, so retaining nurses is critical. To address this issue, some hospitals have implemented different types of mental wellness support during this transition. Common resources include resiliency training, counseling services, mentorship programs, cognitive rehearsal, education initiatives and simulation based learning experiences. However, there is little evidence to indicate which interventions might prove most effective in combatting burnout and decreasing attrition in NGN. We are conducting a review of the literature to examine the mental wellness resources provided to NGN and their role in preventing burnout and promoting resilience, improving retention, and fostering healthier work environments. Using the PRISMA framework to guide our literature search and selection process, we are evaluating current research. This review aims to synthesize existing evidence to inform strategies that better support NGN and promote successful transitions into professional practice. Our review is currently in process.
Supporting New Graduate Nurses: Mental Wellness Resources and Burnout Prevention
CNS Atrium
Nursing is a demanding profession, with acute care nurses exposed to high stress environments, long shifts, and emotionally challenging patient care situations. These factors increase the risk of burnout, defined as a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Burnout affects nurses’ mental health and negatively impacts patient outcomes, staff retention, and overall healthcare quality. New graduate nurses (NGN) are particularly vulnerable during this transition from school to professional practice, a period often associated with increased reports of anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion. As burnout rises among NGN, the likelihood of leaving their position within the first year also increases. The loss of NGN carries a significant burden for healthcare organizations, as the cost of recruiting, hiring, and training a single nurse is reported to be between $3000-8000. If NGN leave their positions, the hospital loses around $40,000/nurse, on average. The United States (US) is in the midst of an unprecedented nursing shortage, so retaining nurses is critical. To address this issue, some hospitals have implemented different types of mental wellness support during this transition. Common resources include resiliency training, counseling services, mentorship programs, cognitive rehearsal, education initiatives and simulation based learning experiences. However, there is little evidence to indicate which interventions might prove most effective in combatting burnout and decreasing attrition in NGN. We are conducting a review of the literature to examine the mental wellness resources provided to NGN and their role in preventing burnout and promoting resilience, improving retention, and fostering healthier work environments. Using the PRISMA framework to guide our literature search and selection process, we are evaluating current research. This review aims to synthesize existing evidence to inform strategies that better support NGN and promote successful transitions into professional practice. Our review is currently in process.