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THE EMPOWERED NURSE

ABSTRACTS

Abstracts are concise summaries of completed nurse-led research projects. The abstract is composed within guidelines for word count and structure that are
dependent upon the forum of dissemination and organization (i.e., nursing organizations or medical societies sponsoring conferences). The nurses’ abstracts
featured here represent their vision and enhanced use of evidence to improve the art and science of nursing practice.

Improving Behavioral Health in Rural Effects of Diffusion of Essential Oils on

Schools with Behavioral Health Nurses Staff’s Perceived Stress

Research indicates the necessity of mental health interven- Purpose (What): Anxiety and stress are common percep-
tions in rural, under-served middle school classrooms through- tions in busy, chaotic health care settings. Innovative strategies to
out the United States. Most American teacher preparation promote employee wellness are crucial to satisfaction, produc-
programs do not address behavioral health. Consequently, im- tivity, and retention. This study’s purpose was to investigate the
plementing psychiatric school nursing may produce positive out- effects of diffused essential oils on staff’s perceived stress.
comes for the student as well as the teacher.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports 1 in 5 Relevance/Significance (Why): Diffusion of essential oils
American youth ages 13-18 experiences a severe mental health may elevate mood, calm senses, increase alertness, and decrease
condition. Literature suggests that rural classroom teachers feel anxiety in emotionally and physically demanding work environ-
overwhelmed and underprepared when responding to a mental ments. Although a normal response to stress, anxiety becomes
health crisis. Involving a psychiatric school nurse could benefit problematic when constant. In today’s health care settings, stress
both students and staff by providing support, education, and re- is a common, inherent environmental characteristic. As an inno-
sources. The psychiatric nurse can also offer effective communi- vative intervention, essential oil diffusion may reduce stress, sup-
cation advancing whole-child care and academics. port employee wellness and ultimately boost employee
A 2015 University of California Las Angeles (UCLA) study satisfaction and care outcomes.
further suggests a lack of communication between administra-
tors, educators, and providers creating difficulty with re-entry to Strategy/Implementation/Methods (How): Effects of es-
school after hospitalization. Psychiatric school nurses may help sential oil diffusion on perceived stress were examined during a
alleviate some of the miscommunication by navigating sug- 12-week IRB approved study. Participants who consented for the
gested protocols as well as supporting teachers, students, and study included adult male and female employees of a high-vol-
families resulting in better student outcomes. ume walk-in clinic. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) evaluated per-
While current practice treats academics and behavioral ceived stress before, during and after oil diffusion. A baseline PSS
health care as two separate entities, both disciplines understand survey was completed prior to the intervention. Diffusion of cit-
the necessity of caring for and educating the whole child. Hick- rus essential oils was then started; diffusion continued for four
man County Schools has implemented Project AWARE as well weeks. The second PSS was completed in the last week of this
as MOUs with both Mental Health Cooperative and Health Con- diffusion period. Diffusion was then discontinued for two weeks.
nect America to meet whole-child needs, yet a gap in reintegra- At the end of this period, participants completed the final PSS.
tion communication remains. Continuity of care and learning
for both professions are in need of improvement; therefore, fur- Evaluation/Outcomes/Results (So what): Individual PSS
ther research (and a solution) is needed. scores range from 0 to 40 with scores of 14 or greater equating
to moderate or higher perceived stress. Participant’s median per-
ceived stress levels showed: baseline 20; during effusion 11; and
post effusion 14.5. Data analysis revealed a 45% reduction in per-
ceived stress when baseline results were compared to responses
collected during four weeks of citrus oil effusion equating a sta-
tistically significant finding (p = 0.015). Following diffusion dis-
Jana Acy, BSN, RN continuation, perceived stress levels rose by 21% confirming
Registered Nurse, VBH Adult III
jana.s.acy@vumc.org