An Intervention to Support Well-Being and Reduce Burnout in Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to address burnout and promote well-being among Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) in the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Collective in Tucson, Arizona and assess burnout risk levels. An asynchronous educational intervention was developed to provide evidence on burnout and well-being and introduce Cyclic Sighing, a breathwork technique selected to support nervous system regulation and enhance mitochondrial function. Background: Burnout syndrome results from prolonged exposure to chronic, unmanageable stress and is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Among healthcare providers, including PMHNPs, burnout is linked to significant psychological and physiological harm—disrupting autonomic nervous system balance, reducing mitochondrial efficiency, and impairing emotion regulation, memory, and executive function. The consequences of provider burnout extend beyond the individual, contributing to higher turnover, reduced quality of care, and increased systemic strain on healthcare delivery. In Arizona, where unmet mental health needs are among the highest in the country, PMHNPs face disproportionate stress as they shoulder increasing demand with limited support. Interventions that are brief, accessible, and grounded in neurobiological evidence are urgently needed to support provider well-being and stabilize care systems. Methods: Nineteen PMHNPs participated in the project by viewing an educational presentation and completing a post-intervention survey. The survey included items assessing knowledge, confidence, and intent to use Cyclic Sighing, as well as an adapted version of the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI) developed for this project to estimate burnout risk. Results: Post-survey responses indicated high levels of understanding of burnout and well-being (mean = 4.53), confidence in applying the breathwork technique (4.26), and intent to incorporate it (4.32). Burnout risk scores indicated moderate emotional exhaustion (mean EE = 3.32), low depersonalization (1.97), and high personal accomplishment (3.88). Overall, 10.5% of participants were classified as high risk for burnout, 52.6% as moderate, and 36.8% as low. Conclusions: This project highlights the potential impact of brief, neuroscience-informed education combined with supportive practices. Interventions that address burnout and well-being through strategies that support multiple health aspects may serve as powerful tools to support PMHNP well-being and reduce burnout risk.