Exploring Strategies to Build Resiliency in Nurses During Work Hours

J Nurs Adm. 2021 Apr 1;51(4):185-191. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000996.

Abstract

Objective: This pilot study investigated increasing nurse resiliency utilizing a toolkit of stress-reducing interventions on medical-surgical units at 4 hospitals.

Background: Resiliency-building activities are time consuming and undertaken outside work hours. Although the activities show a positive impact on resilience, researchers investigated whether similar results could be achieved where nurses experience work stress.

Methods: This quasi-experimental pretest and posttest interventional study used a within-subjects design. Provided toolkits included written instructions to carry out the study. Nurses completed surveys at baseline, at 10 time points over a 6-week period, and at study conclusion.

Results: The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 scores increased significantly at follow-up (P < .02). Self-reported stress levels decreased over the 10 shifts with continued use of the interventions.

Conclusion: Using stress-reducing interventions during work decreased stress and increased resiliency, thereby offering nurse leaders additional options to promote a healthy workforce at the bedside.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Burnout, Professional / prevention & control*
  • Compassion Fatigue / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology*
  • Occupational Stress / prevention & control
  • Pilot Projects
  • Resilience, Psychological*