In the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project, it is necessary to choose a policy or an intervention and demonstrate its impact on the health of the population through various quality improve models and frameworks. In the analysis of the worth of a mindfulness meditation program for nurses, a translational science model will be applied. The main idea of this model is to focus on the connection between scientific and practical knowledge. It was developed bench-to-bedside clinical research by Khoury at el. in 2007 (as cited in Reavy, 2016). There are four main phases of the translational science model, also known as T-phases, that interact with each other during the entire intervention.
The first translational phase includes such elements as basic research and development. As soon as a problem area is identified, and the background information is gathered to prove the necessity of the intervention, new opportunities and approaches to a health problem are discussed. In this case, a mindfulness meditation program plays a crucial role in nursing wellbeing because job burnout is hard to avoid, and it has negative outcomes on the quality of work. The main objective of this phase is to understand the research process and apply findings to practice (Reavy, 2016). Recommendations for new research must be created on the basis of the offered plan, methods, and literature review.
The next phase is a practice that consists of evidence-based practice (EBP) findings and pilot implementation. In other words, the DNP project should be based on an EBP intervention that has already been applied in the real world. In the 1970s, Jon Kabat-Zinn created the mindfulness-based stress reduction program for patients who struggle with difficulties and physical/mental illnesses, following simple Buddhist principles (Ackerman, 2020). Although this program aimed at helping patients in need, with time, it has become a solid intervention for people from different fields to control their stress and improve the quality of work. The Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts and other related websites provide clear guidelines on how to take exercises and achieve mindfulness (Ackerman, 2020). This EBP intervention program lasts eight weeks, and each week has its goals and impact on the participants. Mindful breathing during the first week helps to understand the basics of mind-body medicine, and body scan exercises of the second week show participants how they could react to stress.
The third phase of the translational science model is known as dissemination research, when EBP guidelines are translated into health practice. At this period, the researcher has to compare the conditions offered in the already chosen EBP intervention with the conditions of the current study. As soon as all controversies are removed, it is possible to investigate the local population and the settings to make sure that similar steps and ideas may be implemented, and certain outcomes are achieved for analysis.
The last fourth phase is based on collaborative research, the focus of which is to compare the quality of life before and after the intervention. As well as any practice, the mindfulness meditation program should have a certain impact on the population. Intervention effects, cost analysis, and recommendations are identified to prove the correctness of the chosen approach (Reavy, 2016). The evaluation of the real-world outcomes is a final step of the translational science model when change is taken and explained.
In general, the implementation of a translational science model in this DNP project helps to combine theoretical and practical contributions in the field of nursing. The chosen EBP intervention proves that stress reduction and emotional wellbeing influence human behaviors and relationships. Nurses may become patients, and the development of mindfulness meditation programs is a helpful approach for them to avoid mental health complications.
References
Ackerman, C. E. (2020). MBSR: 25 mindfulness-based stress reduction exercise and courses. Positive Psychology. Web.
Reavy, K. (2016). Inquiry and leadership: A resource for the DNP project. F.A. Davis Company.