Title : Laughter with leadership
Abstract:
Background: Nurse leaders are challenged with day to day stressors and feel isolated dealing with nurse shortage, burnout, emotional strain, and physical exhaustion. Laughter can promote a sense of health, wellness, reduce strain and stressors and impact staff nurses through a positive culture by changing the work environment. The aim of this study was to describe nurse leaders and staff nurses’ effects of laughter in clinical settings and key factors affected.
Methods: This qualitative study investigated nurse leaders and staff nurses with their experiences and effects with laughter. The setting was conducted though Cornerstone affiliated to Ensign company for this study. The participants involved 12 Baccalaureate degree (BSN) staff nurses, 7 BSN nurse leaders, and 2 master’s degree leaders for the data analysis. All nurses had minimum work experience of 2 or more years in various clinical areas. The data was collected though anonymous surveys with a series of 10 standardized questions related to this topic. Telephone interviews were used to supplement data collected.
Results: The data was divided to include years in the profession, stressors in the workplace, emotional and physical wellbeing, nurse education level, leader or staff, culture and environment.
Conclusion: Awareness of nurses’ perception and understanding of laughter helps recognize contributing factors and provides beneficial directives for enhancing nurses and patients physical and emotional wellbeing. Sharing a culture of laughter by teaching strategies can impact nurses and present happier and fun work environment through value of laughter evolving patient care and nurses
