“A CCI-led mindfulness and compassion elective course exposed me early on

"to research about nurse burnout and its effect on patient care. It became clear to me then, as an undergraduate, that patient safety would never be achieved in healthcare if clinicians experienced moral distress, burnout, and job dissatisfaction. 

“With mentors Jon Bartels, Susan Bauer-Wu, Dorrie Fontaine, Julie Haizlip, and Esther Lozano, we studied the practice of compassionate care, how to cultivate healthy work environments for optimal nurse and patient outcomes, and how to apply CCI practices in clinical settings with programs such as ‘Room to Reflect’ that we developed at UVA Health. My interest in becoming a researcher solidified because of these early experiences.

“I also know where it all started for me. I would not be where I am today without the CCI—a one-of-a-kind program in the country—and its faculty, staff, and leaders, who were my original inspiration and lifelong mentors.”

K. Jane Muir, PhD, MSN, RN (BSN ’16, PhD, ’21, MSN ’22)

“Today, I translate that work as a health policy researcher focused on health systems’ critical need to invest in well-being programs and care models to ensure nurses thrive in their roles and offer stellar care that ensures strong patient outcomes. From safe staffing ratios, creating time and space for nurses to take breaks, interventions that support those experiencing workplace violence, and approaches that strengthen frontline nurse-manager relationships, we’re building the clinical and economic case for healthcare systems’ well-being infrastructure."

Muir is an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, a family nurse practitioner, creator of the CCI student ambassador program, which promotes the CCI Cart, and co-creator of Room to Reflect.