A recent, two-week-long study used daily emails and an online survey to measure resilience among NICU workers. You would be justified in wondering if the study itself was meant to test the workers’ resilience. Shockingly, a high percentage of participants dropped out of the study.
All joking aside, this BMJ study is just one of a few qualitative studies to ask, “What are the best ways to support NNP resilience? Could daily reflection on three things that went well, and how you contributed to them, confer greater resilience?” The study suggests that, yes, this “three good things” intervention seems to foster well-being in NNPs, which might, in turn, strengthen NNP resilience.
Daily reflection #1: having a good day at work
Reflecting on what makes a workday good was identified as a key contributor to NNP well-being. Commonly contemplated themes related to job satisfaction included:
- Having fun and getting to laugh at work
- Having a smooth or calm day
- Having a peaceful or quiet day
- Helping to improve a patient’s health status
- Enjoying collegial relationships
- Experiencing effective teamwork
- Enjoying a supportive work environment
- Having adequate staffing and a manageable workload
- Getting to take breaks
- Getting to leave work on time or early
Daily reflection #2: enjoying supportive relationships
Reflecting on one’s relationships and how they are supportive was identified as another vital part of NNP well-being. Commonly contemplated themes associated with healthy relationships and work-life balance included:
- Getting to eat meals with family
- Getting to spend quality time with loved ones and pets
- Receiving help with chores from one’s spouse and children
- Enjoying healthy communication and strong bonds with family members
- Feeling grateful for the health and well-being of one’s family
- Helping others, especially family members, in non-professional ways
Daily reflection #3: capitalizing on “me time”
Reflecting on one’s personal time and why it’s valuable was identified as a third essential component of NNP well-being. Commonly contemplated themes linked to self-care included:
- Enjoying pastimes such as exercising, reading, gardening, and shopping
- Spending time outside enjoying good weather
- Getting to walk one’s dogs
- Getting to nap
- Getting enough quality sleep
- Having time for oneself
Three more good things
Background research referenced in the “three good things” study provides insight on three additional factors that may contribute to NNP resilience, including:
- Spirituality
- Optimism
- Role models
These factors were noted by nursing professionals to be helpful in coping with work-related stress. Moreover, these factors are associated with greater self-awareness, a crucial component of resilience.
Recommendations from the American Psychological Association (APA)
The “three good things” intervention is an example of positive psychological intervention. The APA recommends that all individuals practice positive psychological interventions to focus not just on minimizing suffering but also on optimizing happiness. By applying the APA’s recommendation to themselves, NNPs may find they can enjoy a happier, healthier, more resilient, and more successful practice.
Implications for health professional leaders and hospital administrators
The “three good things” study emphasizes the importance of NNPs experiencing and contemplating positive emotions not just “in floods” but “in steady trickles.” It encourages the NNP manager to regularly participate in the “three good things” intervention with their NNP team. Finally, health professional leaders across disciplines and hospital administrators may find the intervention to be a promising, quick, and low-cost way to strengthen NNP resilience.
Does your workplace already engage in a practice like the “three good things” intervention? If so, let us know in the comments below!
