Predictors of Resilience in Prelicensure Nursing Faculty

Abstract

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reported that over 65,000 qualified nursing applicants were turned away in 2023 due to a lack of faculty, a key contributor to the ongoing nursing shortage. Nursing faculty vacancies limit the ability of academic institutions to prepare new nurses, exacerbating the healthcare workforce crisis. Resilience, known to mitigate occupational burnout, may play a crucial role in retaining existing nursing faculty, a population that has not been extensively studied in this context.

The purpose of this study was to examine potential predictors and associated demographic factors of resilience among prelicensure nursing faculty. The study hypothesized positive relationships between perceived support, compassion satisfaction, and resilience. Additionally, it sought to determine if PS, CS, predict resilience in this population while controlling for significantly associated demographic factors.

This cross-sectional study utilized secondary data analysis of survey responses from 499 prelicensure nursing faculty across the U.S. and Canada. Resilience was measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Compassion satisfaction was operationalized using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), and perceived support was measured using specific items from the CD-RISC. Bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of resilience.

The median resilience score of this ample was 32 on a 0-40 scale. Bivariate analyses revealed significant differences in resilience based on age, with higher resilience in Gen X and Boomer generations compared to Millennials and Gen Z. Multiple regression analysis showed that while controlling for variations due to age, perceived support and compassion satisfactions were significant predictors of resilience, with CS being the strongest predictor (p < .001). Educational level, race, and years of teaching experience were not significantly associated with resilience.

This study highlights the importance of compassion satisfaction and perceived support in fostering resilience among prelicensure nursing faculty. These results have research, education and policy implications. Future research should explore the relationship between workplace practices, support structures, and resilience in nursing faculty.