Date Available

5-1-2025

Year of Publication

2025

Document Type

DNP Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

College

Nursing

Department/School/Program

Nursing

Faculty

Dr. Andrew Makowski

Committee Member

Dr. Angela Grubbs

Faculty

Dr. Chizimuzo Okoli

Faculty

Dr. Julie Perry

Abstract

Background: Healthcare professionals experience a variety of stressors which negatively impact their professional quality of life (ProQOL) potentially leading to increased turnover and nurse shortages in hospitals. There are growing studies addressing ways to improve healthcare ProQOL, yet few have examined the impact of alterations to the workplace on these outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effect of a dedicated outdoor green space for nurses during shift breaks on their ProQOL.

Methods: This project used a one-group pretest-posttest design. Data analysis was completed using descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software. The Professional Quality of Life Scale, along with a measurement of time spent in the garden space was used to assess the impact of the intervention on participants.

Results: All aspects of participants’ ProQOL improved from baseline to final survey, although not statistically significant. Baseline surveys scores for Burnout, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Compassion Satisfaction were all moderate.

Conclusion: Among participants, pre-survey ProQOL scores were better than anticipated, and although the improvement from pre-survey to post-survey was not statistically significant, there was an overall positive change. The finding suggests that a dedicated green space for outdoor breaks are a possible solution to support ProQOL among nurses. Future studies should include all nursing staff in the hospital to assess baseline ProQOL and demonstrate how garden spaces and adequate outdoor break time can impact nursing ProQOL.

Additional Files
Final DNP Paper Revised.pdf (357 kB)
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