13H - Creating a Sustainable Culture of Well-Being for Our 22,000 Nurses

Monday, March 20

2:00–3:00 p.m.

In 2021, the Journal of Clinical Nursing noted that “35-45% of nurses experience some level of burnout.” Chronic stress often leads to decreased productivity and safety, with ripple effects to home and social environments. Physical responses of nurses are negatively impacted when basic needs for nutrition, respite, sleep and fatigue are not addressed or supported. In response, Advocate Aurora Health has developed a comprehensive approach to supporting workforce well-being.

AAH created the Well-Being Council with the goal to embed well-being into the organizational culture so that all team members experience joy at work, feel a sense of purpose and belonging, and know that they are valued. This Well-Being Council is led by the Chief Spiritual Officer and Well-Being Program Director and consists of 35 interdisciplinary leaders from across the organization, including a Nursing Well-Being Program Manger to specifically support its 22,000 nurses. A key success was the rollout of aahwellbeing.org, a comprehensive platform to access well-being programs and resources. Targeted system communications highlight well-being programs, resources and nursing-specific initiatives including a peer support program, Renewal Days focused on recovery and thriving, free and confidential well-being screenings, 24×7 access to a chaplain for a supportive listening presence, integrative medicine programs, de-escalation and trauma informed care trainings, and a crisis fund for financial assistance.

These well-being structures and programs have enabled AAH to establish a sustainable culture of resiliency that allows nurses to view their work not only as a place of energy expenditure but also a source of energy renewal.

Learning Objectives

• Develop a system structure to embed well-being into the nursing workforce culture.
• Develop and promote well-being programs and resources to establish a sustainable culture of resiliency and well-being.