Dr. Amarachi Eke-Okoro, DNP, FNP, is a visionary practitioner passionate about patient care and collaborating with teams to enhance nursing practice.
She knows firsthand the challenges nurses face in today’s healthcare landscape. As a registered nurse at Baylor Scott & White Health in Texas and a 2024 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduate from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS), she is on a mission to address one of the profession’s most pressing issues: nursing burnout.
At the 2025 Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE) Conference in March, Dr. Eke-Okoro will share the findings of her DNP study centered on strategies to help nurses manage and prevent burnout in acute care settings.
Addressing the Nursing Burnout Crisis
“Nursing burnout is not a new problem, but the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the severity of it,” Dr. Eke-Okoro says. She says the main challenge is the ongoing nursing shortage. “Many nurses are leaving the field for less stressful jobs, and we need to find ways to support those who remain.”
Her project, implemented at a Texas hospital last year, involved over 30 participants across various age groups, primarily experienced nurses from emergency rooms, operating rooms and labor and delivery units. “We wanted to understand what mechanisms nurses could use to decompress and focused on actionable solutions,” Dr. Eke-Okoro explains.
One of the key elements of her project was fostering a supportive community within the hospital. The project created small residency groups where nurses could talk to each other, share experiences and receive mentorship. She asserts that new nurses especially need guidance on how to navigate the challenges of the role.
CHWE 2025 Session Insights
Dr. Eke-Okoro’s session at CHWE 2025 will be a roundtable rapid presentation, offering attendees the chance to engage with her one-on-one. She will have about five to ten minutes to present her findings, and then participants will form groups to ask her questions. It’s an interactive format that allows for meaningful discussions based on what interests each attendee.
Viji George, DNP, USAHS alum, will serve as a certified residency coach and support the roundtable.
The session will emphasize practical tools that nurses can apply daily. “One of the biggest takeaways is knowing when to take a break,” Dr. Eke-Okoro states. “Legally, nurses are entitled to a 30-minute break, but many skip it because of workload. We need to change that mindset.”
She also stresses the importance of teamwork. “If you are feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to say no and ask for help,” she says. “Nurses shouldn’t feel like they have to push through exhaustion alone.”
Challenges in Healthcare Settings
Burnout is one of many trials healthcare professionals face. “Nurses often struggle to get approved for PTO, and there’s a general feeling that patient satisfaction always comes first—even at the expense of staff mental health.”
Another challenge is the hierarchy within healthcare. “At the end of the day, we all have the same goal: providing quality patient care. Collaboration should be the focus, not competition,” she argues.
Solutions for a Sustainable Nursing Future
Dr. Eke-Okoro has always been deeply committed to nursing—not only in caring for patients but also in advocating for the well-being of nurses. “For patients to receive the best care, we must first ensure that nurses have the stability and resources they need to thrive,” Dr. Eke-Okoro says.
Dr. Eke-Okoro’s project identified seven practical methods to help nurses cope with fatigue. Her findings highlight the importance of clear communication in helping nurses advocate for their well-being, ensuring they can continue delivering exceptional patient care.
One major recommendation was creating small groups where nurses can regularly check in with each other. Another was implementing structured counseling sessions, especially for incoming nurses, to help them adjust to the demands of the job.
She also advocates for better dialogue with management. “Nurses need to feel heard,” Dr. Eke-Okoro emphasizes. “There should be open channels to voice concerns without fear of retaliation. It’s not just about making the hospital more efficient—it’s about ensuring that nurses feel valued.”
Dr. Eke-Okoro aims to expand the implementation of her project across other institutions, equipping nurses with key approaches to manage burnout. She explains that many nurses are unaware that they can use existing resources to create similar support systems in their workplaces, emphasizing the need to raise awareness and encourage widespread adoption.
Personal Growth and Future Advocacy
Through her efforts, Dr. Eke-Okoro has grown as a professional. “I’ve learned to be very vocal about what I can and cannot take on,” she says. “If I feel overloaded, I speak up. I encourage other nurses to do the same.”
She has supported advocacy initiatives through the United Nations and other organizations and hopes to take this issue to the legislative level. “If we can push for better nurse-patient ratios, improved working conditions and mental health resources for nurses, we can make real change,” Dr. Eke-Okoro shares.
One of her long-term goals is to collaborate with policymakers. “If we can bring these concerns to legislative sessions, we might be able to create lasting improvements in nursing environments.”
A Call to Action for Collaborative Healthcare
Reflecting on her time at USAHS, she says, “Completing the Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialty at USAHS was an incredibly rigorous journey that tested my resilience, and I’m delighted to have scaled through successfully. I look forward to the numerous opportunities ahead in leadership, clinical, mentorship and advocacy.”
Ultimately, Dr. Eke-Okoro wants nurses to feel empowered. “Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Your well-being matters as much as your patients’.”
She also calls on hospital administrators to take action. “If you want to improve patient outcomes, start by taking care of your staff,” she says. “Happy, healthy nurses provide better care.”
As she prepares for the CHWE 2025 Conference, Dr. Eke-Okoro remains optimistic about the future. “We have the tools to make nursing a sustainable career,” she says. “Now, it’s about implementing them and ensuring every nurse feels supported.”
For those attending CHWE 2025, her session promises to be an insightful and engaging discussion on inspiring healthier work environments for nurses.
Learn more about the CHWE conference and follow Dr. Eke-Okoro’s advancements on her LinkedIn.
