The wellbeing shelf: A mixed methods study exploring the impact of a resilience web resource for first year nursing and midwifery students.

Background: Nurturing a resilient nursing and midwifery workforce is vital for the National Health Service's sustainability. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) must support students, given the challenges and attrition rates. Nursing and midwifery education uniquely balances tuition and placements, posing challenges, especially for first-year students, who face stressors including lack of familiarity, knowledge gaps, and emotional exposure.

Objectives: This study aimed to introduce and evaluate a co-designed web-based intervention called 'The Wellbeing Shelf' to enhance resilience among first-year nursing and midwifery students.

Design: An exploratory mixed methods approach was employed, combining quantitative pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and qualitative focus groups.

Settings And Participants: The study involved 353 first-year nursing and midwifery students at Queen's University Belfast.

Methods: 'The Wellbeing Shelf' was developed through co-design workshops. Quantitative measures included the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). Qualitative data were collected through focus group interviews.

Results: Quantitative data showed a decrease in both resilience and wellbeing scores over time. The CD-RISC scores decreased significantly from Time 1 to Time 3. Qualitative findings revealed three themes: "Acquiring" knowledge about wellbeing, "Actioning" self-care strategies, and "Advocating" for self-care among peers and family.

Conclusions: The study introduced 'The Wellbeing Shelf' as a resource to enhance resilience among nursing and midwifery students. Whilst the resource offered a variety of activities and fostered a sense of belonging, challenges in resource accessibility and student confidence were identified. The study also highlighted the importance of students advocating for self-care practices. Despite the resource's introduction, resilience and wellbeing scores decreased over time, suggesting a need for further research and potentially a control group. Understanding the initial lower resilience of nursing and midwifery students is crucial for future interventions in this high-demand program.