Educator Resources-Health and Wellness Curriculum Framework

Health and Wellness Curriculum Framework

Pdf Summary

Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) face challenging and demanding educational programs that can lead to significant stress, impacting both mental and physical health. Stress-related issues include anxiety, depression, burnout, and potential substance misuse, further exacerbated by the added pressures from working in critical care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these concerns, research stresses the importance of providing resources and interventions aimed at managing stress and promoting well-being among these students, ensuring a healthier future workforce.<br /><br />The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) highlights the need for educational programs to support students through acknowledgment and fostering of healthy lifestyles, stress coping mechanisms, and awareness of substance use disorder (SUD). Accordingly, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) developed a curriculum framework designed to assist educational programs in incorporating wellness and SUD awareness into their courses. This framework is a collection of resources and strategies for supporting students, though it does not guarantee compliance with COA standards.<br /><br />The curriculum encourages activities such as mindfulness practices, wellness days, peer mentoring, and professional wellness lectures. AANA offers resources like Zwerling Modules and online platforms to help students and faculty adopt healthy lifestyles and mental well-being strategies. Activities to identify and address SUD include professional courses and institutional programs focusing on awareness and education.<br /><br />University-wide initiatives might include fitness center memberships, mental health support services, and wellness seminars. Online resources provide further tools for mental well-being, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to stress management and wellness support for SRNAs. These initiatives aim to foster resilience, healthy habits, and overall well-being, ensuring that SRNAs are well-equipped to handle both their educational demands and future professional roles.

Keywords

Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists

SRNAs

stress management

mental health

substance use disorder

wellness programs

COVID-19 pandemic

AANA curriculum

mindfulness practices

resilience