Nursing: Poster project Complementary & Alternative medicine
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cam_poster_2.pptxThe use of Aromatherapy to help reduce stress in nursing professionals
Leanne M. Rakowski
RN-BSN
IUSB
Stress has become an epidemic in our society. Occupational stress is documented as a major factor that leads to decreased productivity, morale and burnout of nurses. There are many factors that contribute to stress in nurses, the workloads, patient demands, working with critically ill patients and relationships with coworkers and physicians.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to heal the body, mind and spirit. The sense of smell is an important part of aromatherapy. The chemical composition of essential oils has proven to have healing properties through scientific research. By blending together two or more oils they can complement each other and it adds vibrancy to the blend. Some of the oils that have been found to be effective in stress relief are citrus oils, floral oils, lavender, peppermint and rosemary
Research
Implementation
Cooke et at (2007) The study used a combination of aromatherapy massage with music, it showed an immediate positive impact on staff anxiety. Introducing these stress reduction strategies in the workplace shows lower stress levels and increased job satisfaction.
Pemberton and Turpin (2008) the purpose of this study was to evaluate the application of essential oils on stress levels of nurses in the ICU. The oils had a positive effect to reduce stress in 31 (74%) of the shifts sampled. All participants recorded a decreased stress level. This demonstrated potential for a simple, noninvasive process to reduce stress which could be accomplished in a short time frame.
McCaffery et al (2009) The use of lavender and rosemary essential oil sachets reduced test anxiety and stress in nursing students. The use of Sachets or inhalers of essential oils are inexpensive, safe and easy to use.
Aromatherapy
References
Cooke, M., Holzhauser, K., Jones, M., Davis, C., and Finucane, J., (2007) The effect of aromatherapy massage with music on the stress and
anxiety levels of emergency nurses: comparison between summer and winter. Journal of Clinical Nursing 16, 1695-1703 doi:
10.1111/j.1365-2702.2006.01709.x
Fontaine, K.L. (2011). Complementary and alternative therapies for nursing practice (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, N: Prentice Hall
Keegan, L., (2003) Therapies to reduce stress and anxiety. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America. 15 (2003) 321-327
doi:10.1016/S0899-5885(02)00103-X
McCaffrey, R., Thomas, D., and Kinzelman, A., (2009) the effect of lavender and rosemary essential oils on test-taking anxiety among
graduate nursing students. Holistic Nursing Practice 2009; 23(2):88-93
Pemberton, E., Turpin, P., (2008) The effect of essential oils on work related stress in intensive care unit nurses. Holistic Nurse Practice
2008; 22(2):97-102
The Problem
Stress is one of the highest variables that affect nurses job satisfaction. Work environments with low job satisfaction can increase nurses intent to leave their current positions. As nurses experience an increase in stress levels, nursing job satisfaction decreases.
Proposal and Goal
My goal would be to create an area for staff that they can retreat to when they are stressed.
By providing this place for the staff it would be able to help staff become more focused so they can be effective care givers for the patients and better team mates for their co-workers and ultimately be more satisfied with their jobs.
We are lucky enough to have a respite room in our department. This room has dim lighting and a recliner in it already. I would like to add some flameless candles, to help set the calming mood and vials of essential oils as well as music that the staff can listen to while taking sometime to enjoy some quiet time while breathing the aromatherapy oils to help relieve the stresses they are feeling.
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