CRITICAL care nurses may find relief from burnout when a professional therapist is embedded directly within their hospital teams, according to new findings shared at this year’s American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference in San Francisco. The study underscores the impact of integrating mental health support into everyday clinical practice.
Led by Julie Graham, assistant professor at San Diego State University School of Nursing, the research focused on Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, where staff were overwhelmed during the COVID-19 pandemic. At one point, the hospital reported a 29% turnover rate among ICU nurses. “Nurses were having emotional breakdowns on a daily basis,” Dr. Graham said. “They were really asking for help.”
In response, hospital leadership embedded a licensed therapist into the critical care team, rather than referring staff to external Employee Assistance Programs. The therapist became a permanent presence and, over time, nurse turnover dropped as low as 1 percent. Although that rate did not remain constant, turnover and emotional strain stayed markedly lower than before the intervention.
Researchers surveyed 116 nurses to assess the impact of the embedded therapist model. The results showed improvements in job satisfaction, burnout levels, and emotional resilience, alongside higher perceived self-efficacy in managing mental health.
Peer support programs, while well-intentioned, often fall short as they involve colleagues who may be dealing with similar trauma. The study suggests that the clinical expertise and neutrality of an onsite therapist offers a more effective and sustainable solution for staff well-being.
A follow-up prospective cohort study with San Diego State’s School of Business is now underway to evaluate broader outcomes, including absenteeism and cost-effectiveness.
“We want to keep justifying this role and shout it from the rooftops,” said Dr. Graham.
Reference:
Graham J et al. Having a Team Therapist Reduces Burnout in Critical Care Nurses. ATS 2025. Available at: https://site.thoracic.org/press-releases/having-a-team-therapist-reduces-burnout-in-critical-care-nurses-2. Last accessed: May 19, 2025.
