Objectives

To examine changes in grit and psychological capital among nursing students prior to, during the height of the pandemic, and more than 12 months after the initial pandemic announcement.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design addressed the aim of the study. Nursing students undertaking a three-year baccalaureate degree between 2019 and 2021 were included.

Results

Mean grit levels among the n=818 unique student participants were significantly lower in 2020 than in 2019 and 2021; however, no significant difference was detected for psychological capital over the same period.

Conclusions

Although normative day-to-day challenges may aid grit development, a major event has a negative impact yet has a buffering effect of negative life events at the time of a crisis. The study further placates that psychological capital remains malleable and open to change at the time of a crisis and may be an essential mechanism to mediate grit and has the capacity to influence student performance over time. It remains essential to develop grit through the mediating elements of psychological capital to enable nursing student to undertake academic studies, particularly in the event of major challenges, such approaches may further enable students' endurance to withstand major crises as they enter the workforce.

AIM: The study aims to provide insights into the key predictors of grit both before, during and throughout a common crisis event, where other more individualised challenges may not provide these insights. DESIGN: A repeated cross-sectional design. METHODS: Data were collected via an anonymous questionnaire among n = 818 (20.8% response rate) nursing students who were undertaking a three-year baccalaureate degree. Data collection occurred in the mid-year break of 2019, 2020 and 2021. The online questionnaire, which examined student demographics, personality, locus of control-4, general self-efficacy, psychological capital and grit, took 15-25 min to complete. Data were prepared and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences to undertake Structural Equation Modelling. Reporting methods adhered to the STROBE guidelines. RESULTS: The pathway models of grit prior to, at the time of, and after the global pandemic varied slightly as to their predictor variables, however, neuroticism was consistently present. Locus of control and psychological capital also varied over this period with hope having a positive impact, prior to and after the initial crisis, however, negatively impacted grit afterwards. Understanding the key drivers of grit, particularly those essential at or around the time of a crisis guides our understanding of how to better support nursing or healthcare students. These insights enable a greater focus of energies towards malleable attributes that can increase grit levels and better fortify nursing students for challenges they may encounter in practice. These insights also serve to further prepare healthcare, emergency, or other professionals who may encounter regular crises. Within months of a global pandemic occurring, the key predictors of grit were shown to fundamentally alter. Each pathway model varied slightly suggesting the timing of a crisis impacts students capacity to manage new or novel situations, with hope as a key driver of grit throughout a crisis.

Background: The global demand for nurses is increasing, yet high attrition rates in nursing programs hinder workforce sustainability. Nursing students face numerous challenges, including employment pressures, stress adaptation difficulties, and dissatisfaction with support and clinical experiences. Grit is crucial in nursing, where dedication and resilience are essential. Despite its importance, limited empirical evidence on interventions to enhance grit among nursing students remains. Within this context, the aim was to understand what impact the ‘Grow Your Grit’ program has on first-year nursing students’ academic engagement, performance, and retention. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was undertaken. The Grow Your Grit program consisted of four modules on grit characteristics (interest, practice, purpose, and hope) and was implemented among first-year Bachelor of Nursing students in an Australian university. Qualitative data were gathered throughout the Grow your Grit program, where each module encompassed activities and reflective exercises that encouraged students to create weekly journal entries as they developed grit over the six-week program undertaken in their first 12-week semester of the nursing program. All weekly reflective journal entries were analyzed using Thematic Analysis to identify themes. This study adhered to the SRQR guidelines. Results: Among the reflective journal entries of the 69 (79.3%) students who participated, four key themes emerged. These included navigating uncertainty, sparking confidence and motivation, building confidence and growth, and boosting confidence and resilience. Reflections indicated uncertainty and apprehension, but as the program progressed, students reported increased confidence, motivation, and resilience. The structured framework of the program facilitated self-reflection and goal setting, contributing to students’ personal and academic development. Conclusion: The Grow Your Grit program positively impacted first-year nursing students by enhancing their grit, confidence, and resilience. The program supports academic success and retention, suggesting its potential to be applied in other programs to foster resilience and retention in nursing and other academic disciplines.

Background

The professional identity and brand image of nurses as leaders have not kept pace with the roles and scope of contemporary nursing practice.

Purpose

To provide a framework to transform the professional identity and brand image of nursing from a caring discipline to one of leaders.

Methods

A Consensus Development Workgroup (CDW) design was used between the International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing (ISPIN) and the Institute for Brand Image of Nursing (IBIN) to advance the concept of All Nurses as Leaders across all settings and the public domain.

Discussion

The goal is to occupy a position in the minds of all stakeholders that differentiates nursing in a manner that is positive, relevant, accurate, desirable, and consistent over time.

Conclusion

Current outcomes are endorsements, evidence-based strategies, and a framework to deconstruct the current brand image and align it with the desired brand image of All Nurses as Leaders.