Virtual reality relieves nurses’ stress at California hospital

A virtual reality (VR) mindfulness and stress management program helped nurses at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, Calif., cope with the strains of treating COVID-19 patients. The technology transports nurses to soothing immersive environments and helps them train their brains to become less reactive to stressors. The 70 nurses who used the program last year reported their stress levels declined, 34% on average. The hospital was already using VR to educate patients and help them manage pain and stress when it decided to deploy VR with nurses. (HealthLeaders Media article, 1/10/22)