UCLA

Background: Per diem nurse practitioners play a significant role in improving access to primary care services. They often work on an as-needed basis to fill gaps in care, especially in primary care shortage areas. These clinicians often work differing shifts and locations from their peers. Siloed work environments negatively impact communication, collaboration, and social cohesion, putting these providers at risk for burnout and turnover.

Objectives: This quality improvement initiative provides a strategy to improve job satisfaction and reduce burnout among per diem nurse practitioners in the primary care setting.

Methods: A quality improvement initiative was employed to assess the feasibility and acceptance of a digital resource tool for collaboration and communication. A strategic use of Microsoft Teams over a ten-week period was carried out to examine effects on job satisfaction, engagement, and performance. A single cohort, pre- and post-test questionnaire was performed at a single, outpatient, primary care setting. A digital, modified Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale (MNPJSS) was used to measure mean job satisfaction pre- and post- intervention. A paired t-test was used to analyze outcomes with a p-value of <0.05.

Results: A 22% increase in mean nurse practitioner job satisfaction was found post-intervention. Engagement fluctuated depending on the timing of posts and content shared. No correlation between years of experience and job satisfaction was noted. No significant difference in perceived performance was identified post-intervention.

Conclusion: A strategic use of Microsoft Teams provides access to a virtual community for per diem nurse practitioners in the primary care setting, despite their physical work location, and provides the potential to optimize performance, productivity, and the quality of care delivered.