Hospital combats burnout with spiritual care

Among the many supportive programs offered to employees during the pandemic, a few at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles highlight the organization’s creativity. A spiritual care cart with tea, note cards, a lollipop topiary and flickering tea lights is connecting front-line staff with a hospital chaplain. Chaplains also hold “letting go” ceremonies to help nurses cope with daily challenges. “Some had never told a co-worker that they'd lost a family member because they didn't want to burden them with their personal problems," according to Chief Nursing Office Anita Girard, DNP, RN, an AONL member. "These ceremonies helped people unburden themselves." Newswise news release, 3/14/22)