Overview

• The embedded therapist initiative at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center reduced ICU nurse turnover from 29% during the pandemic to around 1%, saving the hospital significant costs.
• Nurses reported marked improvements in burnout, resilience, job satisfaction, and self-efficacy after the therapist became a full-time team member.
• Traditional support systems like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and peer support models were deemed insufficient, with the embedded therapist offering immediate, tailored mental health care.
• The intervention has been made permanent, and researchers are collaborating with San Diego State University’s School of Business on a prospective cohort study to evaluate absenteeism and retention outcomes.
• The model is seen as a scalable solution for addressing mental health challenges among ICU nurses, with calls for broader adoption across healthcare systems.