Sustaining Nurses and Midwives: Building Resilience in students

Background: Resilience is the capacity to bounce back or respond to adversity and is understood to be a significant factor in sustaining nurses and midwives in the profession, which is acknowledged as emotionally demanding... [ view full abstract ]

Background: Resilience is the capacity to bounce back or respond to adversity and is understood to be a significant factor in sustaining nurses and midwives in the profession, which is acknowledged as emotionally demanding work (Hunter & Warren, 2013). Nursing and midwifery is increasingly embracing the concept of resilience as an approach to ameliorating the effects of stress on the workforce. Common themes within the literature are apparent. The need to invest and develop in the ‘self’ was identified by several papers (Gillespie et al., 2007, Jackson et al., 2007, Hodges et al., 2008, Grafton et al., 2010). Hunter & Warren (2013) identified managing and coping, self-awareness and the ability to build resilience as key to resilience in practice.
Aim and objectives: The aim of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a training package embedded into the Bachelor of Nursing and the Bachelor of Midwifery courses. The package was created to develop in students the knowledge and skills needed to promote emotional well-being and resilience.
Description of innovation: A flipped learning package, comprising of on-line learning, videos and in-class activities, was made and embedded into the clinical subjects. The learning package focused on building students’ skills in managing and coping, self-care and resilience. McAllister and McKinnon (2009) suggest that the predictors of resilience (adaptability, positive identity, social support etc.) can be strengthened through education and training. Evaluative feedback was gained from students.
Impact of innovation: Students completed surveys after they had finished the learning package and had participated in class activities. The results showed that the use of the learning package was helpful in enhancing the students’ knowledge and skills in self-care and developing resilience. Most students stated that they would access the on-line learning package again for self-directed study.
Conclusion: The conclusion was that a practical, accessible learning package on developing skills in resilience and self-care is a useful learning tool for students in maximising their health and wellbeing.