The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
Vol. 37 No. 5 September/October 2006
By Sharon Judkins, PhD, RN, CNAA, BC; Barbara Reid, RN, MSN, CNAA, BC; Leslie Furlow, PhD, RN, FNP, BC
BACKGROUND
This exploratory study investigated development of a model hardiness training program to determine whether stress could be reduced and hardiness could be increased and sustained among nurse managers.
METHOD
Thirteen nurse managers at an urban hospital completed pretests for hardiness levels and underwent initial hardiness training for 2.5 days. Posttests were completed after initial training, after the 6 weekly sessions, and after 6 and 12 months.
RESULTS
Changes in hardiness scores between pretest and the first posttest were significant (p < .05). Scores after the third posttest were decreased for the subscale control but were unchanged for subscales commitment and challenge.
CONCLUSION
Findings suggest that the use of a hardiness training program and intermittent follow-up can be effective in increasing and sustaining hardiness levels in nurse managers and may have a positive impact on staff turnover rates.
AUTHORS
Dr. Judkins is Director, Nursing Administration Program and Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Arlington School of Nursing, Arlington; and Partner, HardinessMentors, LLC, Roanoke, Texas. Ms. Reid is Clinical Educator, Harris Methodist Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Furlow is Senior Consultant, HardinessMentors, LLC, Roanoke; and President, AchieveMentors, Inc., Tolar, Texas.
Funding for this research was provided by The University of Texas at Arlington and Sigma Theta Tau, Delta Theta Chapter. Drs. Judkins and Furlow have a financial interest in HardinessMentors, LLC.
The authors thank Lucy Norris, RN, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer, who permitted the use of the Osteopathic Medical Center nursing department for this study; all of the Nurse Managers who participated in the training model; and the people at the Center for Nursing Research at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Nursing who generously provided data analysis and support.
Address correspondence to Sharon Judkins, PhD, RN, CNAA, BC, University of Texas at Arlington, School of Nursing, Box 19407, Arlington, TX 72019.
