Abstract
This issue of Workplace Health & Safety contains a Continuing Nursing Education Module on “Depression in Registered Nurses: A State of the Science” 1.0 contact hour of continuing nursing education credit will be awarded by AAOHN upon successful completion of the posttest and evaluation.
A certificate will be awarded when the following requirements are met by the participant: (1) Participant logs on to the AAOHN LMS website at www.aaohn.org/education/online-learning-center and enrolls in the course ($10 members; $15 non-members); (2) The completed posttest and course evaluation are entered online at at http://www.aaohn.org by October 2018;(3) A score of 75% (6 correct answers) is achieved by the participant.
Upon completion of this lesson, the occupational health nurse will be able to:
Discuss the current state of the science related to depression in registered nurses.
The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. is an Approved Provider of continuing nursing education by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc., an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. is additionally approved as a CNE provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing (#CEP9283).
Contact hours received for successful completion of the posttest and evaluation may be used for relicensure, certification, and re-certification.
Increases in work absenteeism Increases in short-term disability Decreased productivity All of the above
Lapses in judgment may produce serious occupational injuries. Productivity loss may exceed $14,000 per nurse. Greater satisfaction of hospital stays by patients. Increased report of medication errors.
Most studies focused on nurses working in the United States Studies were limited to publications in the last 15 years The focus of research changed over time Research prior to 2004 accounted for the vast majority of current knowledge on the topic
Role conflict Marital status of “married” New graduates working first shift consistently All of the above
As nurses age, they are more likely to suffer from depression. As nurses age, they are less likely to suffer from depression. There is no correlation between age and depression in registered nurses. Younger minority nurses are less likely to be depressed compared to older white nurses.
Ensuring that program policies support, encourage, emphasize, and prioritize worker health Improving work environments for registered nurses Conducting needs assessments that measure workforce health risks All of the above
Encourage nurses to set lofty professional goals when they simultaneously attend graduate school and start a family. Establish a peer support system for nurses. Provide training and coaching for supervisors to understand depression and its consequences, and help them to identify and refer nurses who may be at risk for depression. Make Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) available to nurses.
They all used an unreliable, limited theoretical framework. Only a few used a longitudinal design. Multiple instruments were used to assess the concept of depression. Too many studies focused on minority populations.