The impact of organisational values on nurse resilience: A mixed-methods study

Aim To investigate the impact of organisational values on nurse resilience. Background Nurses encounter significant occupational adversity, which can result in negative psychological consequences. Investigating the role of resilience as a protective factor focuses on what enables some nurses to positively adapt in challenging work environments. Comparatively, little attention has been paid to organisational factors and nurse resilience. Method A two-phase mixed-methods design comprising a cross-sectional survey and focus groups. Results Three hundred and ninety-four nurses responded to the survey with 25 participating in four follow-up focus groups. Significant associations were found between resilience levels and agreement with organisational values (p = .022) and agreement about the importance of values (p = .018). Three themes relating to organisational values were identified: pressures and challenges; supports and strategies; and impact of organisational values. Conclusions Organisational values may positively impact resilience if nurses concur with those values and believe they are shared by their employer. Implications for Nursing Management To promote nurse resilience, organisations and nurse leaders should consider developing, implementing and operating with a set of employee-adopted values, which need to be demonstrably upheld across the organisation.