The Power of Positivity: A Strengths-Based Program in the Ambulatory Care Setting (Spotlight Poster)

Purpose: There are growing amounts of stress, mental health issues, and lack of empowerment in ambulatory care clinic staff as well as a sense of not belonging and disconnectedness between ambulatory care clinics.
Background/significance: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy of a strengths-based resilience program for ambulatory care clinic staff to improve levels of stress, resilience, sense of belonging, and connectedness. A literature review showed different methods of promoting coping and stress management of nurses through journaling and mindfulness programs, but there was no evidence of a strengths-based resiliency program in the literature that was reviewed.
Method: The program was offered to ambulatory care nurses and support staff over a 10-week period. The strengths-based resilience program was facilitated by trained ambulatory care nurse professional development practitioners who work for the same organization. An adaptive resilience curriculum consisted of weekly sessions meeting virtually and discussed topics such as neurobiology of stress, resiliency, leadership, adaptive coping, and connections.
Results: Program results were evaluated using a mixed methods research design. Preliminary quantitative pre and post-surveys show an improvement in all measures. Qualitative data was analyzed from participants writings submitted during the program for evidence of positive change and is currently under analysis.
Conclusion: The ambulatory care nursing professional development practitioners created a positive environment where staff were able to come together and focus on their strengths. The virtual platform and in-person end celebration connected staff to be able to share vulnerable stories, which broke down isolation and created meaningful relationships. The program has helped to increase resilience, reduce stress, and create a sense of belonging for ambulatory care clinic staff. Staff experienced an increase in their ability to identify and utilize their unique strengths. The small sample size and self-selection are limitations of the study. Future research in the organization is limited by program costs and training time associated for participants to attend within their work week. Based on positive feedback from participants, there is interest and demand for continued expansion of the program. The outcomes of this program align with the organization's mission of employee engagement, belonging, and building a sense of community. Future directions include offering a cohort for leaders in January 2025 to provide a similar experience and help advocate for more cohorts across the organizational network.