Inside the Groundbreaking Rutgers–Camden Study Tackling Nursing Burnout

Research is well underway supporting the Hillary Project, an initiative honoring the memory of nurse Hillary Herskowitz, a Rutgers School of Nursing graduate who tragically lost her life due to burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funded through a Faculty Fellowship program grant sponsored by the Senator Walter Rand Institute of Public Affairs, this groundbreaking study marks the start of continuous efforts aimed at tackling nurse burnout. These efforts will enhance current services, curricula, and new programs at Rutgers School of Nursing-Camden.

This study explores how current School of Nursing students and alumni view the curriculum’s support for stress management, mental health, and resilience, both in academic and clinical settings, and assess its effectiveness in preparing alumni to handle burnout in their RN role. It also gathers input from School of Nursing leadership and community practice partners to evaluate how effectively the curriculum promotes resilience and equips graduates to meet the challenges of nursing practice.

Nearly 100 students, alumni, and leadership members are participating in this study, with the quantitative phase completed in fall 2024 and the qualitative phase expected to conclude by summer 2025.

This project is a unique opportunity to build a stronger pipeline of nurses who are psychologically and physically healthy and resilient, ultimately benefiting the city of Camden and surrounding communities.

Read more about the Hillary Project and Catherine Stubin’s research.