How We Can Develop Our Resilience

A Vital Trait for Nursing Care Professionals

Do you consider yourself to be a resilient person?

Psychology Today defines resilience as, “the psychological capacity to adapt to stressful circumstances and to bounce back from adverse events.” All of us, particularly those in the healthcare industry, have been challenged to be resilient during recent months.

At McGregor, we recognize that our staff and nursing care employees must be resilient, and it is a characteristic we look for in our job candidates. In the senior living industry, we are faced with stressful circumstances under ordinary conditions, let alone during a pandemic. At the same time, we understand that it takes work to develop personal resilience skills.

How can we become more resilient individuals? These tips can certainly apply to anyone but are particularly relevant to healthcare professionals, nurses, and senior care providers.

• Remember your calling. When you consider your work to have a meaningful purpose, it is far easier to face any stress and anxiety on a day-to-day basis. If you focus only on your stressors and forget your calling, you will lose sight of the meaning and the purpose of the difficult challenges you encounter. It will become easier to drown in stress and anxiety and much harder to look forward with optimism.

• Have courage. You can be courageous and still be afraid, but a courageous person will act despite their fear. During COVID-19, so many healthcare professionals have been called upon to have courage. Even in the face of so many unknowns, they continue to act and serve their patients and residents. That is resilience.

• Continue to deposit into your mental health bank. Resiliency requires us to be aware of our physical and mental health. Take time for yourself and focus on your mental wellbeing through acts like exercising, mindful breathing, getting outside for some fresh air, or doing something creative.

• Embrace opportunities to grow. Some of us have a negative reaction to failure; we focus only on our shortcomings. Others choose to see their failures as an opportunity to grow. This is a characteristic of a resilient person.

• Focus on relationships. You do not have to be socially isolated, even in a time of encouraged social distancing. Rely on your family, friends, and coworkers, and make sure they know they can rely on you. Social support is critical to your wellbeing and your capacity for resiliency.

At McGregor, we strive to create an environment that allows our employees to thrive, grow, and continue to develop their resiliency. If you are interested in opportunities to join our supportive team, please view our current openings for RNs/LPNs and STNAs. We welcome you to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Information for this article was sourced from:
Psychology Today