Learning and teaching approaches promoting resilience in student nurses: An integrated review of the literature

Undergraduate nursing students face challenges that can result in stress leading to impaired performance, physical illness, high turnover and sickness absence (Kinman and Jones 2001). Students therefore require skills and knowledge to help them cope with the challenges of learning professional practice. This paper explores the concept of resilience, with an emphasis on how educational programmes can foster resilient practices among student nurses. Educators can facilitate resilience by incorporating resilience teaching and training that includes, the core concepts of resilience: self-efficacy, reflective ability and self-confidence. Critical appraisal and synthesis of the literature resulted in the identification of three themes: attributes, programmes and transition. The following five key learning and teaching methods were identified as supporting the development of resilience: peer activities; reflective practice; directed study; problem based learning/enquiry based learning and experiential learning Having resilience and resilient qualities is an integral part of nursing, having a positive impact upon the health and well-being of the nurse as practitioner. Resilient qualities and behaviours can be developed through the facilitation of appropriate learning and teaching interventions.