By Irina B. Grafova, Pamela B. de Cordova, Jennifer Polakowski, and Jessica Anderson
The importance of well-being programs has never been more critical. Virtual Schwartz Rounds (VSR) provide a platform for connecting with nursing colleagues facing challenging experiences while trying to care for themselves and others. Over the past three years, 2,346 nurses have registered for at least one VSR session. But who exactly are the nurses participating in this initiative? We were interested in that question so we sought to understand the demographic trends of those who attended VSR and compared them to the broader nursing workforce in New Jersey.
In our analysis, 273 nurses who registered for at least one VSR session before April 23, 2024 were compared to the 2023 and 2024 annual New Jersey Board of Nursing (NJBON) Nursys® license renewal surveys. In our retrospective survey, the demographics indicated that a significant majority of VSR participants were women (74%), predominantly white (59%), and middle-aged, with an average age of 54. This demographic profile closely aligns with that of the overall New Jersey nursing workforce, which is comprised of 90% women, 57% white, and are 48 years old on average.
When we compared the educational attainment of VSR nurses to that of the overall New Jersey nursing workforce, we found that VSR participants tend to have higher levels of education. Only 2% of the VSR participants held an associate degree in nursing, which is significantly lower than the 18% with an associate degree in the New Jersey nursing workforce. In contrast, 32% of VSR participants obtained a Master’s Degree in Nursing, compared to just 17% within the overall nursing NJ nursing workforce.
Our analysis revealed that nearly all VSR participants are either Registered Nurses (RNs) or Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs). APNs are RNs with advanced degrees and specialty certifications recognized by national certifying agencies. While very few VSR participants identified as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), these types of nurses represent nearly 14% of the overall New Jersey nursing workforce. This suggests that LPNs and nurses with lower educational attainment are disproportionately less likely to access VSR sessions. We reported these results at the recent New Jersey State Nurses Association Annual Meeting.
To address this gap, the New Jersey Nursing Emotional Well-Being Institute, which administers the VSR program, conducted outreach efforts at the Annual Health Care Association of New Jersey Convention and Expo in October 2024. As we continue to navigate the evolving challenges of healthcare, programs like VSR are more vital than ever. Understanding who participates – and who doesn’t – can help us create and adapt access to programs that support all members of the nursing community.