AN EXAMINATION OF THE NEXUS BETWEEN NURSES WORKPLACE RESILIENCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study 

In the face of mounting global health concerns, the resilience of healthcare workers, particularly nurses, has emerged as a vital factor in improving public health response. Nurses, who make up a sizable fraction of the worldwide healthcare workforce, are frequently at the forefront of healthcare services, particularly during pandemics, natural disasters, and other public health emergencies (Aiken et al., 2020). Their ability to adapt, cope, and maintain high levels of professional performance in the face of adversity is critical not just for their own well-being but also for the health-care system's success (Jackson, Firtko, & Edenborough, 2020).

Resilience in nursing is defined as the ability to recover from difficult situations and challenges while maintaining mental and emotional stability (Chesak, Khalsa, Bhagra, & Bui, 2022). Nurses are routinely subjected to high-pressure conditions, which can result in burnout, work discontent, and mental health concerns, limiting their ability to contribute to an effective public health response. According to studies, nurses with higher levels of resilience are more likely to perform optimally in stressful conditions, hence strengthening the overall healthcare delivery system (Mealer, Jones, & Moss, 2019). This has become especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when resilient nurses have played critical roles in maintaining patient care despite overwhelming demand on healthcare systems (Rosa et al., 2021).

Public health response, which entails coordinated activities to resolve health crises, is significantly reliant on healthcare workers' ability and well-being. Resilient nurses, who can adjust to changing demands and emotional tolls, guarantee that public health interventions are administered successfully and efficiently (Hart, Brannan, & De Chesnay, 2019). As a result, building resilience among nurses is a strategic way to improving public health systems' responsiveness during crises (Tomaszewski, Zysberg, & Buchbinder, 2020). Given the essential role nurses play in healthcare delivery, policymakers and healthcare reformers must understand the relationship between their workplace resilience and the overall effectiveness of public health policies.

Public health emergencies pose major risks to the health of the global population. Among these situations, the emergence of a serious infectious disease, characterised by rapid disease progression and extended duration, creates enormous challenges for medical treatment and care. Healthcare professionals have played an important role in fighting infections and maintaining human health. However, the ongoing nature of epidemics has highlighted the disparity between the growing number of patients and the insufficient number of healthcare providers, particularly during the Ebola virus and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks (Bailey et al., 2023).

The interaction between nurses' workplace resilience and public health response is critical to sustaining the global health system. Resilience-building activities can considerably improve nurses' ability to cope under duress, hence strengthening public health readiness and responsiveness (Hodgson, Carey, & Turner, 2021). Thus, addressing workplace resilience among nurses is critical to strengthening the overall public health framework, particularly in a world increasingly confronted with unforeseen health concerns.

 Statement of the problem

The relationship between nurses' workplace resilience and public health response is an important field of research, particularly in the aftermath of global health disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses, as frontline healthcare practitioners, play an important role in the efficacy of public health interventions. However, the demanding nature of their work conditions, which frequently include long hours, heavy patient loads, and emotional stress, can have a negative impact on their resilience and, as a result, the quality of care they deliver (Sharma et al., 2022). In the workplace, resilience refers to nurses' ability to adapt, recover, and continue to operate effectively in the face of adversities (Yildirim & Tanriseven, 2021). The issue emerges when healthcare systems fail to appropriately support this resilience, resulting in burnout, job dissatisfaction, and higher turnover, all of which can hinder the overall public health response, especially during emergencies (Bailey et al., 2023).

Recent public health situations, such as epidemics, have given nurses the opportunity to learn specific skills and gain experience in emergency response. However, high levels of stress can cause exhaustion and burnout in nursing professionals, impeding the development of their public health emergency response skills. Furthermore, the pressure that comes with these emergencies makes it difficult for management to retain experienced nursing staff. High turnover rates and burnout among nurses are major challenges in the healthcare business, putting a strain on hospital financial management and patient care quality, and the pandemic compounded this load. Nurses, in comparison to other healthcare professions, frequently endure the highest levels of work stress and misery due to their frontline involvement in infectious illness response. Without prompt management, this could lead to physical and mental issues. As a result, finding appropriate measures to improve nurses' well-being has become a top priority for healthcare administrators.

According to research, nurses with higher levels of resilience are more likely to positively impact public health outcomes because they are better suited to manage stress, maintain mental well-being, and offer quality patient care (Jackson et al., 2021). However, there is a considerable void in the literature regarding how healthcare organisations can build and maintain resilience among nurses in the workplace. This gap emphasises the crucial need for stronger institutional support systems, such as mental health services, resilience training, and workload management, to improve nurses' resilience (Galanis et al., 2021). Addressing this issue is critical for strengthening public health response, particularly during times of crisis when the demand for effective and resilient healthcare personnel is at its peak.

1.3 Objectives of the Study 

The primary objective of this study is to examine the nexus between nurses workplace resilience and public health response. Specifically the study seeks:

To determine whether there is a relationship between nurses' workplace resilience and their effectiveness in responding to public health crises.

To evaluate the influence of nurses' resilience on patient care outcomes during public health interventions.

To explore the barriers and challenges nurses face in maintaining resilience during extended periods of public health emergencies.

To propose strategies for strengthening workplace resilience among nurses to improve public health response outcomes in future crises.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

Is there a relationship between nurses' workplace resilience and their effectiveness in responding to public health crises?

What is the influence of nurses' resilience on patient care outcomes during public health interventions?

What are the barriers and challenges nurses face in maintaining resilience during extended periods of public health emergencies?

What are the strategies for strengthening workplace resilience among nurses to improve public health response outcomes in future crises?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The stated hypothesis will validate this study:

Ho1: There is no significant relationship between nurses workplace resilience and public health response.

Ha1: There is a significant relationship between nurses workplace resilience and public health response.

1.6 Significance of the study

Understanding the link between their ability to cope with stressors and public health outcomes would assist healthcare institutions and policymakers in developing policies to help nurses effectively manage workplace issues. This, in turn, has the potential to improve the quality and efficiency of public healthcare services, particularly during emergencies such as pandemics and natural disasters.

Furthermore, the study fills a significant vacuum in public health literature. While considerable research has focused on the importance of resilience in personal well-being, few studies have looked at how nurses' resilience affects broader public health responses. By investigating this nexus, the study will shed light on how nurses' emotional and psychological endurance adds to a healthcare system's ability to respond to public health concerns. These findings can help to improve nurse retention, minimise burnout, and increase overall job satisfaction, resulting in a more strong and responsive healthcare system.

The study is also useful for public health administrators and hospital executives. Administrators can use the findings to develop resilient workplace cultures by providing supportive leadership, mental health resources, and enough personnel. This will result in better-prepared healthcare teams that can successfully respond to public health crises, ultimately improving population health outcomes.

Finally, for academic and research purposes, this study will add to the increasing body of information about healthcare resilience and its implications for public health systems. It will serve as a platform for future research into the relationship between healthcare personnel' mental health and public health efficacy. 

1.7 Scope of the study

The study aims to examine the nexus between nurses workplace resilience and public health response. Empirically, this study assesses whether there is a relationship between nurses' workplace resilience and their effectiveness in responding to public health crises, the influence of nurses' resilience on patient care outcomes during public health interventions, the barriers and challenges nurses face in maintaining resilience during extended periods of public health emergencies and the strategies for strengthening workplace resilience among nurses to improve public health response outcomes in future crises.

1.8 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that it is a new discourse thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. However in spite of the constraint all these constraint were downplayed to give the best.

1.9 Definition of terms

Nurses: Nurses are healthcare professionals trained to care for individuals, families, and communities to help them achieve and maintain optimal health. They provide medical care, administer medications, monitor patient conditions, and offer support and education to patients and their families.

Resilience: Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, adapt to challenges, and bounce back from adversity or setbacks. It refers to both mental toughness and the capacity to remain strong in the face of stress or hardship.

Workplace resilience: Workplace resilience refers to an employee's ability to adapt to challenges, stress, and changes in the workplace while maintaining productivity, well-being, and a positive outlook. It involves bouncing back from setbacks and effectively managing pressure in a professional environment.

Public health response: A public health response refers to the actions and measures taken by government agencies, healthcare organizations, and communities to address and manage health threats or emergencies. This can include disease prevention, health education, medical treatment, and interventions aimed at controlling the spread of illness or addressing health crises.

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