Hardiness training among nurse managers: building a healthy workplace.

BACKGROUND This exploratory study investigated development of a model hardiness training program to determine whether stress could be reduced and hardiness could be increased and sustained among nurse managers. METHOD Thirteen nurse managers at an urban hospital completed pretests for hardiness levels and underwent initial hardiness training for 2.5 days. Posttests were completed after initial training, after the 6 weekly sessions, and after 6 and 12 months. RESULTS Changes in hardiness scores between pretest and the first posttest were significant (p < .05). Scores after the third posttest were decreased for the subscale control but were unchanged for subscales commitment and challenge. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that the use of a hardiness training program and intermittent follow-up can be effective in increasing and sustaining hardiness levels in nurse managers and may have a positive impact on staff turnover rates.