Can Nurses Help Alleviate the RT Burnout?

Background: Core components of job-related disorders like burnout are emotional exhaustion, reduced personal accomplishment, and depersonalization1. Since COVID, the prevalence of burnout amongst Respiratory Therapists (RT) has increased with scant literature that focuses on RT specific burnout in healthcare2. The top reasons for RT burnout are staffing, workload, physical and emotional exhaustion, lack of effective leadership, and lack of respect2. With the national shortage of RTs this will not be resolved expediently. We aimed to support RT workload and decrease burnout with the creation of RT Helping Hands (RTHH) in our pediatric hospital (244 beds, Level 1 Trauma Center, Level IV NICU). Methods: With support from our institution’s leadership, the role of RTHH was created in November 2022 allowing outpatient RNs to help alleviate the RT workload in acute care areas. RNs completed a one-hour initial training session with the RT Clinical Instructors (CI) that included electronic medical record documentation, low and high flow oxygen devices, and breathing treatments with respiratory scoring. This education took place directly before their first shift as an RTHH along with a tour of the unit(s) in which they would be working. Virtual education sessions were also created to provide additional support to nurses to increase understanding of respiratory medical management. Shifts available for RTHH were 4 hours each between 0700-1100 or 1700-2100, with most shifts requested by RTHH being 1700-2100 hours. In an IRB-approved retrospective review RTs were surveyed related to experience when paired with an RTHH. Results: 4 RTHH RNs were trained and utilized for 25 shifts from November 2022- February 2023. 11 RTs were assigned with an RTHH during the study period. 63% of RTs surveyed felt the RTHH role resulting in decreased workload, majority who reported decreased workload were night shift RTs. 91% of respondents reported anxiety related to the role and functionality that decreased over time as the RTHH core group gained experience in the role. Conclusions: Nurses as RTHH were beneficial in reducing workload for RTs in our pediatric hospital. RTHH education prior to supporting the RTHH role was imperative to program success. Further research must be completed related to ways to support RTs during national shortages in the profession.