A qualitative research exploring clinical nurses’ experience with nurse employee assistance program promoted by hospitals in China

The shortage of nurses and the prevalence of psychological issues pose significant challenges in the healthcare industry. To address these concerns, hospitals have implemented various effective mental health prevention and assistance programs for nurses. Nurse Employee Assistance Programs (NEAPs) are among the most popular psychological support initiatives for healthcare professionals. This qualitative research aims to provide a comprehensive description of the experiences, attitudes, and evaluations of nurses participating in NEAPs, to establish strategies for better implementation of these programs. This study adopted an explorative and descriptive qualitative design involving 15 Chinese nurses. A purpose sampling method was used to recruit clinical nurses who participated in nurse EAPs of their hospitals. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. A total of four themes were identified: (i) the aims of participating in NEAPs; (ii) personal growth and changes following NEAP participation; (iii) the most impactful activities within NEAPs; and (iv) recommendations for improving NEAPs. The primary motivation for nurses to participate in NEAPs was the need to alleviate stress and seek solutions to problems. Feedback from nurses in NEAPs positively influenced their thinking from various perspectives and enhanced effective communication with patients. These participants suggested additional themes regarding NEAPs and advocated for their broader adoption among clinical nurses. This study is the first to explore the experiences of Chinese nurses participating in NEAPs. The findings reveal that these nurses developed effective coping strategies through their involvement in NEAPs, underscoring the potential benefits of such programs in enhancing professional resilience and well-being. Furthermore, there is a clear need to improve the themes of NEAPs and to promote their broader adoption among clinical nurses. Not applicable.