“The inherently stressful nature of the nursing profession constantly tests the professional resilience of Israeli nurses due to their ongoing exposure to extreme events,” two Hadassah nurses write in an article published in the journal Nursing Outlook this summer.
The article –– written by Nikole Bekman and Amy Solnica of the Henrietta Szold Nursing Department at the Hadassah Medical Organization –– looks at the impact on practicing nurses, nursing doctoral students and nursing faculty in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, and on the heels of the Covid pandemic.
Citing literature that examines the experiences of certified nurses in war and conflict zones, the article notes that “notably, these nurses were deployed in war zones for designated periods. In contrast, in Israel, the actual battlefield and the home front are separated by a few kilometers.”
“By recognizing our unique struggles, we can foster a supportive environment and pave the way for resilience, not only for ourselves but also for future generations in the nursing profession,” Bekman and Solnica write.
The authors propose three recommendations to help ease the psychological burden that the nursing community experiences during wartime:
- Self-assessment training, to effectively identify physical and psychological symptoms of trauma as a result of war-related events;
- Peer support networks, to facilitate communication, collaboration and mutual support during wartime;
- Self-care and resilience training, to mitigate the impact of stress, burnout and compassion fatigue associated with wartime caregiving and teaching responsibilities.
“These interventions will not mitigate the complexity and challenges of juggling our multiple professional roles,” they write. “However, the awareness of these challenges can lead to growth, and achievement in patient care, professional and personal development and academic excellence.”
Read the full article in Nursing Outlook.
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