![]() VR first entered the healthcare space as distraction therapy for painful procedures or stressful clinical experiences (Glennon et al., 2018) and has since demonstrated improved physical rehabilitation outcomes among patients with neurologic injuries, such as stroke (Ahn & Hwang, 2019 Lee, Park, & Park, 2019). VR is being explored to address healthcare provider burnout. Virtual reality (VR) is a head-mounted technology that creates an interactive and engaging simulation for the user so that he or she believes the experience is taking place in reality. The Role of VR Interventions in Mitigating Burnout In healthcare institutions, such interventions have included training programs to improve individual staff members’ abilities to practice mindfulness, mental rehearsal, positive self-talk, communication skills, and tactical breathing exercises, all of which are associated with decreased acute stress and improved technical and nontechnical performance (Anton, Bean, Hammonds, & Stefanidis, 2017 Lauria, Rush, Weingart, Brooks, & Gallo, 2016 van Agteren, Iasiello, & Lo, 2018). Resilience measures, such as self-care activities, may mitigate the negative effects of occupational-related burnout (Flarity et al., 2018 Henry, 2014 Rushton et al., 2015). Organizations that implement burnout interventions may experience reduced turnover, increased retention, and increased patient satisfaction (Henry, 2014). Replacing one nurse is estimated to cost six to nine months’ salary (NSI Nursing Solutions, Inc., 2019). The cost of burnout-related attrition is high. CF is associated with adverse health outcomes, absenteeism, increased turnover, and decreased satisfaction for nurses and decreased safety and satisfaction for patients (Cañadas-De la Fuente et al., 2018 Hall, Johnson, Tsipa, & O’Connor, 2016 Perry et al., 2011). Burnout includes emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment and is greatly affected by the work environment (Mashlash & Mayer, in press Rushton et al., 2015). ![]() Secondary traumatic stress is defined as trauma experienced by witnessing the pain and suffering of others (Beck, 2011). Many studies have documented a high prevalence of CF and its two components, burnout and secondary traumatic stress, in nurses, including those specializing in oncology (Flarity, Gentry, & Mesnikoff, 2013, Flarity, Nash, Jones, & Steinbruner, 2016 Gómez-Urquiza et al., 2016 Perry, Toffner, Merrick, & Dalton, 2011). The experience of challenging patient cases, suffering, and death affects nurses and other healthcare providers emotionally, physically, and spiritually (Flarity, Moorer, & Jones-Rhodes, 2018 Gentry, 2016 Neumann et al., 2018). Oncology nurses, like their colleagues in emergency medicine, intensive care, and behavioral health, are at risk for elevated levels of stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue (CF) (Cañadas-De la Fuente et al., 2018 Epp, 2012 Rushton, Batcheller, Schroeder, & Donohue, 2015).
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