Background
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation identified by 2030 a nine million shortfall of nurses globally [1]. The International Council of Nurses has since increased this projected shortfall to 13 million nurses by 2030 [2]. This shortfall is compounded by nurses leaving the profession before the age of retirement. Many nurses have experienced psychological harm yet remain in the profession. This study is seeking to identify What are the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that support post traumatic growth amongst current registered nurses.
Methods
This is an international study using mixed methods explanatory sequential research design. The target population are registered nurses including clinicians; researchers; managers and academics. Potential participants are recruited using snowball sampling via social media sites from population groups specific to registered nurses. Phase 1 is the collection of quantitative data via an online survey using Qualtrics and analysed using descriptive statistics and correlations. Phase 2 is the collection of qualitative data via focus groups using Microsoft Teams and analysed using thematic analysis. This is a research project by nurses, of nurses, for nurses.
Results
Themes generated are categorised into intrinsic and extrinsic factors that support post traumatic growth and intrinsic and extrinsic factors that hinder post traumatic growth in nurses.
Conclusions
These findings have implications for creating work environments that support nurses to thrive, potentially improving patient outcomes, and providing policy makers and administrators insight into the well being of the profession.
References
1. World Health Organisation. Nursing & Midwifery. 2023 [cited 2023 13 November 2023]; Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nursing-and-midwifery
2. International Council of Nurses, ICN Policy Brief- the Global Nursing Shortage and Nurse Retention. 2021, ICN: Geneva.