Webinar: How do I become a more resilient nurse?

Hellen Keller is quoted as saying, "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." In a recent webinar, two University of Cincinnati faculty focused on ways nurses can overcome suffering — including burnout and compassion fatigue — through cultivating resilience.

The past couple years, especially, have taken a toll on nurses. Studies show rates of anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, burnout and more have increased amid the pandemic.

"There is a lot of suffering in nursing, and I don't want to minimize that," says Sue Brammer, PhD, RN, CNE, associate professor and co-presenter of the webinar. "But there is a lot of resilience going on, too, and we should be identifying it, celebrating it, cultivating it in ourselves and helping others cultivate it, too."

Brammer and R. Lee Tyson, DNP, DMin, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC, FIANN, associate professor and director of UC College of Nursing's Psych-Mental Health online programs, define resilience, explain why it’s important, identify qualities of resilient nurses and discuss ways nurses can become more resilient.

Researchers define resilience as a nurse’s ability to adapt positively to stress and adversity. It’s dynamic, complex and can change over time, Tyson says. Studies show nurses who exhibit stronger resilience are better protected against post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue and burnout. This translates to better patient outcomes, Brammer says.

"When we're burnt out and have compassion fatigue, we avoid patients, we’re cynical, sometimes we even get irritable and angry with patients. Resilience keeps us engaged and connected to patients."

Many factors can inhibit individuals from exhibiting resilience, Tyson says. Some of these include:

• The perception that a situation will last forever
• A lack of work-life balance
• An unsupportive work environment
• Drawing universal negative conclusions
• Compassion fatigue
• Social isolation
• Overexposure to stressful events
• Insufficient time to process negative feelings

First, Tyson says, it's important to set boundaries, or rules that we set for ourselves and others that communicate how we prefer to interact with others. "Think of boundaries as a 'no trespassing' sign on a property line: once you cross a given boundary, a given line, there will be consequences."

It's also important for nurses to practice self-care and find time to cultivate relationships.

"Do you know what the No. 1 protective factor against mental illness is? It's not Prozac. It's not medication. It's not therapy. It's relationships," Tyson says. "It's having people to undergird and support us and let us ride on their shoulders sometimes."

Additionally, developing a sense of confidence, practicing integrity, accepting failure as an opportunity to learn and finding a strong sense of purpose in life all are ways for nurses to develop greater resilience.

View a recording of the webinar for a more in-depth look at resilience in nursing and recent research on the topic.