Graduation Year
2026
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Primary Major
Nursing
Primary Minor
Leadership Studies
Thesis Advisor
Andrea Boyle, PhD, FNAP, ANP
Abstract
Purpose: This research study aims to investigate the emotional impact of newborn deaths on Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses in addition to evaluating their perceptions of routine guided meditation as an effective coping mechanism to manage professional grief and enhance psychological well-being. Methods: Utilizing an exploratory descriptive research design grounded in Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM), this study examines the lived experiences and health-promoting behaviors of neonatal nurses following newborn deaths. Data: Anticipatory collection of data will be from a sample of NICU nurses based in California through a twelve-question survey featuring open-ended questions. Qualitative content analysis will be employed to identify recurring themes and patterns in the nurses' experiences along with their perceptions on the effectiveness of routine guided meditation to manage emotional exhaustion in NICU nurses. Conclusion: The lack of research and institutional support for NICU nurses following newborn deaths emphasizes the significance in this research study. Exploring NICU nurses' experiences and perceptions regarding the use of routine guided meditation is a critical first step in bringing awareness to this issue and identifying effective coping strategies to support their psychological resilience and emotional capacity.