Exploring the effects of delivering CPR on nurses’ mental health and well-being

Nurses are often first responders to patients in cardiac arrest and therefore have a critical role in delivering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which can be physically, emotionally and ethically demanding and highly stressful. The stress of being involved in patient resuscitation is widely acknowledged, but there is limited research on how nurses cope during and after delivering CPR. This qualitative literature review aimed to develop an understanding of the effects of delivering CPR on nurses' mental health and well-being. The thematic synthesis of the 15 studies reviewed identified three main themes: work-related stress, burnout, and psychiatric morbidity. These all adversely affect nurses' mental health and well-being, and potentially the effectiveness of their delivery of CPR, and are implicated in nurse attrition. There is a need for stress-reduction programmes and strategies to enhance nurses' coping skills and for the provision of multidisciplinary training that supports effective teamwork and nurses' delivery of CPR.