New Rutgers–Camden Research Explores How to Better Prepare Nurses for the Emotional Demands of the Profession
Research conducted through the Hillary Project identifies opportunities to strengthen resilience, wellness, and emotional preparedness in nursing education.
As healthcare systems nationwide grapple with workforce shortages, burnout, and increasing demands on frontline providers, Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden and the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs are collaborating to examine how nursing education can play a greater role in supporting long-term well-being.
New research supported by the Hillary Project found that while nursing graduates feel clinically prepared for practice, many say future nurses need more help navigating the profession's emotional challenges. The Hillary Project honors Hillary Herskowitz, a Rutgers nursing alumna whose tragic death in April 2022 highlighted the toll workplace stress and burnout can take on healthcare professionals.
“In thinking about Hillary, the pandemic, and the tragedy we collectively experienced, I considered what we could learn from these events and how we might use what we learned to uplift others,” said Mavis Asiedu-Frimpong, director of the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs.
“The fact is, there is a lot of information about the existence of stress and burnout within the nursing profession, but there is not as much information about how to manage it or what nurses themselves would like to see,” Asiedu-Frimpong said.
The inaugural study was backed by a $5,000 faculty fellowship from the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs and a $5,000 matching grant from Jane Massey Licata, WRI Advisory Board member, teaching professor at Rutgers law School in Camden, and founder of the Hillary Project, and the research was conducted by Catherine Stubin, associate professor at Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden.
Seeking to translate the experiences of nursing students, alumni, educators, and healthcare leaders into actionable recommendations for reducing burnout and strengthening workforce resilience, Stubin conducted a mixed-methods study that found Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden graduates generally feel well prepared clinically but less prepared for the emotional realities of nursing practice. Participants identified workplace stress, burnout, and gaps in awareness of wellness resources as ongoing challenges and recommended a more intentional focus on resilience, mental health, peer support, and preparation for the transition from nursing education to professional practice.
Stubin’s initial findings were recently discussed by a panel of health care, academic, and policy leaders held in collaboration with Cooper University Hospital and led by Donna Nickitas, dean of Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden.
“Academic-clinical partnerships are essential to addressing the complex challenges facing today’s nursing workforce,” Nickitas said. “By bringing together students, alumni, nurse leaders, practicing clinicians, and community partners such as the Walter Rand Institute and Cooper University Hospital, we create opportunities for honest conversations about health, well-being, workplace stressors, and the warning signs that can lead to burnout. These collaborations help us better prepare nurses not only to provide excellent care, but also to sustain their own well-being throughout their careers.”
During the discussion, participants acknowledged that systemic change would take time but emphasized that the shared commitment demonstrated by the stakeholders supporting this research is key to creating a healthier future for the profession. In the meantime, they urged continued dialogue and for nurses to feel confident to advocate for themselves.
“This research reinforces that resilience and well-being are not individual responsibilities alone—they are shared commitments across nursing education, healthcare organizations, and the profession itself,” said Nickitas. “If we want nurses to thrive and remain in the workforce, we must continue building cultures that support open dialogue, mentorship, self-care, and professional growth from the classroom through clinical practice.”
In response to the findings, Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden has already begun implementing several initiatives to strengthen student well-being and resilience, including a first-year self-care and wellness impact program and the intentional integration of self-care, wellness, and resilience-building strategies throughout the nursing curriculum.
The next phase of reforms will introduce a peer mentoring program that pairs senior nursing students with junior students, as well as a resilience and wellness toolkit accessible through the learning management system. Students will also engage with alumni through panel discussions focused on the transition to professional practice and the realities of nursing careers.
“It’s important for nurses and nursing students to remember that their own well-being matters,” Stubin said. “New nurses, in particular, struggle with setting boundaries. But sustaining a long and fulfilling career begins with understanding that taking care of yourself is not a luxury—it's a necessity.”
