Abstract

Aims. The study was designed to examine the problem solving tool as an effective method to increase resilience and emotional intelligence for nurses in a hospital setting.

Background. Burnout has become a concern across the United States for the current nursing workforce and is expected to continue to impact the nursing shortage [1]. Resiliency has long been an issue in a demanding and stressful environment at the bedside as well as the hospital setting in general [2]. While research indicates resiliency training and education are effective in increasing resilience, gaps occur in preparing resilient nurses with a proactive approach and without a major event [4, 5].

Method. The study was designed as a quasi-experimental study with pre/post-tests after an educational intervention. Participants included registered nurses from a hospital setting with a sample size of 46 attending a session to provide background information on emotional intelligence and application of the problem solving tool and 35 returning the survey.

Results. Descriptive statistical analysis included the “Wilcoxon Matched pairs Sign-rank test” used for both the RS-14 and BEIS-10 survey collection. Results concluded a 71.4% overall improved resilience and overall improved emotional intelligence. Statistical relevance was found in several specific questions related to self-discipline, control of emotions, and emotional awareness. Additionally, the Resilience Core, the five characteristics of resilience including self-reliance, purpose, equanimity, perseverance, and authenticity all demonstrated improvement with self-reliance, purpose, and perseverance being statistically relevant.

Conclusion. The problem solving tool has demonstrated the ability to increase resilience overall and potentially mitigate the risk of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and personal accomplishment, three characteristics of burnout identified by Hetzel-Riggin et al. [3].

Notes

1. Carlson, K. (2022, January 31). 5 challenges nurses will face in 2022. NursingCE. https://www.nursingce.com/blog/5-challenges-nurses-will-face-in-2022/

2. de Wijn, A. N., & van der Doef, M. P. (2022). A meta-analysis on the effectiveness of stress management interventions for nurses: Capturing 14 years of research. International Journal of Stress Management, 29(2), 113–129. https://doi.org/10.1037/str0000169

3. Hetzel-Riggin, M. D., Swords, B. A., Tuang, H. L., Deck, J. M., & Spurgeon, N. S. (2020). Work engagement and resiliency impact the relationship between nursing stress and burnout. Psychological Reports. (123)5, 1835-1853. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294119876076

4. Huey, C. W. T. & Palagana, J. C. (2020). What are the factors affecting resilience in health professionals? A synthesis of systematic reviews. Medical Teacher. (42)5, 550-560. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2020.1714020

5. Kim, E. Y. & Chang, S. O. (2022). Exploring nurse perceptions and experiences of resilience: a meta-synthesis study. BMC Nursing, (21)26, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00803-z

Description

The study was designed to examine the T.I.M.E. Problem solving Tool as an effective method to increase resilience and emotional intelligence for nurses in a hospital setting. While other resilience methods such as mindfulness training, coloring, and/or aroma therapy exist, this tool can be applied during the shift without disrupting patient care, capitalizing real-time intervention on mental load. It is also designed to specifically resonate with the nurse with the thought, do I have time?

Author Details

Jessica Sutterfield, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC

Sigma Membership

Omicron Eta

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Acute care, Instrument/tool development, Stress/coping

Conference Name

Creating Healthy Work Environments

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Conference Year

2025

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Slides

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Do You Have T.I.M.E.?: A Resiliency Tool

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Aims. The study was designed to examine the problem solving tool as an effective method to increase resilience and emotional intelligence for nurses in a hospital setting.

Background. Burnout has become a concern across the United States for the current nursing workforce and is expected to continue to impact the nursing shortage [1]. Resiliency has long been an issue in a demanding and stressful environment at the bedside as well as the hospital setting in general [2]. While research indicates resiliency training and education are effective in increasing resilience, gaps occur in preparing resilient nurses with a proactive approach and without a major event [4, 5].

Method. The study was designed as a quasi-experimental study with pre/post-tests after an educational intervention. Participants included registered nurses from a hospital setting with a sample size of 46 attending a session to provide background information on emotional intelligence and application of the problem solving tool and 35 returning the survey.

Results. Descriptive statistical analysis included the “Wilcoxon Matched pairs Sign-rank test” used for both the RS-14 and BEIS-10 survey collection. Results concluded a 71.4% overall improved resilience and overall improved emotional intelligence. Statistical relevance was found in several specific questions related to self-discipline, control of emotions, and emotional awareness. Additionally, the Resilience Core, the five characteristics of resilience including self-reliance, purpose, equanimity, perseverance, and authenticity all demonstrated improvement with self-reliance, purpose, and perseverance being statistically relevant.

Conclusion. The problem solving tool has demonstrated the ability to increase resilience overall and potentially mitigate the risk of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and personal accomplishment, three characteristics of burnout identified by Hetzel-Riggin et al. [3].