Primary Intervention
According to Neuman (1995b), the goal of primary prevention
is to identify risk factors and prevent stressors from
occurring. Translated into nursing practice, at this stage
nurses must strive to be open and cognizant of any concerns
that may be found in the workplace environment. Ensuring
open lines of communication among colleagues, finding
points of commonality among healthcare professionals, and
mentoring new nurses to build positive relationships are just
some examples of ways primary interventions can play out in
the workplace (Cameron, 2010). Furthermore, if one assumes
that in order to demonstrate resilience, one must first encounter
adversity, resilience training for nurses and interdisciplinary
professionals (such as mock drills) may serve to
strengthen employees’ flexible lines of defense prior to
encountering adversarial stressors, particularly since often
more than one stressor occurs simultaneously.
McAllister and McKinnon (2009) suggested initiating
resilience training at the undergraduate level, beginning with
identity building. The authors claim that this would help
future nurses understand what they stand for and believe in,
which would lead to a strengthened sense of self. After identity
building, the authors suggested that students begin working
on coping strategies and exploring strengths and
weaknesses, which would help foster critical thinking skills
and the ability to form strong lines of defense. Lastly, the
authors recommended that students start their leadership
training early. New nurses are often put in leadership positions
early in their careers; without proper leadership skill
development these roles can be challenging for new nurses,
leading to stress and burnout (McAllister & McKinnon,
2009).
Nurse educators, leaders, and managers also need training
related to resilience-building so that they may recognize
potential issues related to stress within their students, colleagues,
and staff members. As leaders of the nursing profession,
their involvement is especially needed during times and
places of extreme working conditions, such as low staffing
hardships or community-wide disasters or traumas. During
such stressful work conditions, members of the nursing staff
need opportunities to debrief, and healthy methods of stress
relief should be encouraged. Nurse managers should be at
the forefront of mentoring new staff and promoting healthy
relationships with proper communication among all nurses.