NCT07241000

Integrated Program to Enhance Professional Identity and Reduce Burnout in Neonatal Nurses

The Efficacy of an Integrated Empowerment and Narrative Nursing Program on Enhancing Professional Identity and Alleviating Burnout Among Neonatal Nurses: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 172 (actual)
• Sponsor: The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This cluster randomized controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of an integrated empowerment and narrative nursing (I-ENP) program compared to usual care for neonatal nurses. The study aims to determine if the 6-month I-ENP, which includes empowerment education and narrative nursing sessions, can enhance professional identity, reduce burnout symptoms, and lower turnover intention among neonatal nurses.

Detailed description

Neonatal nurses are at high risk for professional burnout and weakened professional identity due to chronic workplace stressors. This study was designed to test a novel, integrated intervention combining empowerment education and narrative nursing practices. Four hospitals (clusters) were randomized to either the intervention or control group. A total of 172 neonatal nurses were included. The intervention group (n=85) participated in a structured 6-month program consisting of four empowerment education modules (covering topics like stress management and communication) and six narrative nursing sessions (involving story sharing and reflective writing). The control group (n=87) received usual care. The primary hypothesis was that the I-ENP group would show significantly greater improvement in professional identity scores compared to the control group at the end of the intervention. Secondary objectives included assessing the program's impact on burnout dimensions (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment) and turnover intention. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 months, and 9 months to evaluate the sustainability of the effects.

Conditions

• Professional Burnout

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Integrated Empowerment and Narrative Nursing Program (I-ENP)	A multi-component program combining empowerment education (modules on professional competence, stress management, effective communication, teamwork) and narrative nursing (sessions for story sharing, reflective writing, and peer support) delivered over 6 months.
BEHAVIORAL	Usual Care	Standard hospital-provided support, including routine continuing education and access to employee assistance programs.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-01-01
• Primary completion: 2023-07-01
• Completion: 2023-10-01
• First posted: 2025-11-21
• Last updated: 2025-11-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China