Enhancing Nurse Job Satisfaction and Patient Care Through Arts Programming
Building on last month’s article, where we discussed how stress and burnout are prevalent concerns within the healthcare workforce, particularly among nursing staff, it is paramount that we explore innovative ways to improve job satisfaction among nurses. While in last month’s article, we explored an arts intervention completed in Lithuania with largely positive results, today we will explore a qualitative study, published in Arts and Health in 2015, that sheds light on the transformative effects of arts and music programming within a short-term stay med-surg unit in the United States.
The study, conducted on a 34-bed inpatient adult med-surg unit with an average patient length of stay of 3 days, evaluated the impact of an arts-in-medicine intervention program. This program included various components including an artist in residence working individually with patients, weekly workshops for patients and their families, music performances by volunteers, and visual art installations throughout the unit.
Through individual interviews with 31 registered nurses, conducted 18 months following the program's implementation, the results indicated a predominantly positive effect on unit culture, nursing practice, and quality of care. A sense of community, increased relaxation, and a happier environment were among the noted improvements, contributing to 32% of nurses expressing an increase in job satisfaction.
Improved communication between nurses and patients was also a notable outcome, with nurses perceiving that patients communicated more openly after participating in the program. Interestingly, while night shift nurses had limited exposure to the programming due to timing constraints, they still reported residual benefits on unit culture and patient mood, highlighting the far-reaching impact of arts programming.
One of the most widely noted effects of the arts program was relaxation, benefiting both patients and staff alike. The "happy patient/happy staff" effect was evident, reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between caregiver satisfaction and patient well-being.
Moreover, the program served as a reminder to nurses that creativity has a place in caregiving, encouraging them to approach their roles with renewed ingenuity and compassion.
While the majority of nurses described the arts program as filling an important gap in patient care and showcasing a broader sense of organizational caring, it was not without challenges. Two nurses reported concerns regarding the music component, citing it as a potential distraction that could lead to errors in patient care.
In conclusion, this qualitative study underscores the impact that arts programming can have on nurse job satisfaction, stress reduction, unit culture, and ultimately, the quality of patient care. While the benefits of arts programming in healthcare settings are clear, it's crucial to address any challenges that may arise, particularly those with the potential to impact patient care. The concerns raised by some nurses regarding potential distractions from the music component highlight the importance of careful consideration and ongoing evaluation of such interventions.
While this study presents promising findings, it also underscores the need for further research to better understand and mitigate potential risks associated with arts programming in healthcare settings. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges, we can ensure that initiatives aimed at enhancing nurse job satisfaction and patient care are implemented thoughtfully and effectively.
Resources:
Sonke J, Pesata V, Arce L, Carytsas FP, Zemina K, Jokisch C. The effects of arts-in-medicine programming on the medical-surgical work environment. Arts Health. 2015 Jan 2;7(1):27-41. doi: 10.1080/17533015.2014.966313. Epub 2014 Nov 7. PMID: 25544861; PMCID: PMC4270403.