The Effect of Time Management Training on Stress and Resilience of Novice Nurses Working in Covid-19 Wards in Educational Hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Stress and resilience are among the factors affecting the performance of novice nurses, especially in crisis situations such as the Covid-19 pandemic, and the correct use of time can be effective in improving it. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of «Time Management Training» on the perceived stress and resilience of novice nurses working in the covid-19 wards in the teaching hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

The method of the current research was semi-experimental of pre-test-post-test type with a control group. The research community was novice nurses working in four educational hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2022. The sample consisted of 70 novice nurses in the inpatient wards of covid-19 patients who were selected by convenience sampling method. To prevent the dissemination of information, the departments where they worked were randomly divided into 2 intervention and control groups. Data were collected with demographic questionnaire, «Perceived Stress Scale» and «Connor and Davidson Resilience Scale». Face and content validity were examined by 7 experts using a qualitative method, and reliability was based on previous studies. In the intervention group, time management training was provided and carried out through the delivery of an educational package including booklets, videos, pamphlets and nursing activity scheduling charts, using reliable nursing resources, and the control group did not receive any intervention. 4 weeks after time management training, both instruments were completed again in both intervention and control groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS. 21.

In the intervention group, the average stress decreased from 18.81 to 16.75 and the average resilience increased from 85.31 to 91.39. The results were statistically significant (P<0.001) and not significant in the control group and were obtained (P=0.051) and (P=0.178), respectively.

Time management training can reduce stress and increase resilience in novice nurses. Therefore, it is suggested that this intervention be used as an orientation program for novice nurses to prepare for crisis conditions such as the Covid-19 pandemic.