Through thick and thin: nursing resilience as an adaptive psychological mechanism in the context of professional integration

Background Based on the theoretical framework of self-determination theory, this study examines the links between the quality of interpersonal relationships and occupational health (vigor and emotional exhaustion), as well as the occupational functioning (affective commitment and turnover intentions) of new nurses, considering the potential role of psychological resources (satisfaction of basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence and relatedness; resilience) as intermediate coping mechanisms. Method The sample for this cross-sectional study comprises 273 Quebec new nurses (≤ 2 years of experience). Using the MPlus 8.8 software, a mediation analysis was performed to test the proposed adaptation model. Results The quality of interpersonal relationships at the beginning of a nursing career is linked to the satisfaction of psychological needs at work. In this regard, our results indicate that it is through the perception of competence at work that the quality of interpersonal relationships is associated with resilience. In turn, new nurses' resilience is related to occupational health (positive and significant link with vigor, negative and significant link with emotional exhaustion). In terms of the psychological resources that potentially intervene in the relationship between the quality of interpersonal relationships and the occupational functioning, our results suggest that psychological needs could play a partial mediating role. Indeed, direct and significant links are observed between the perception of competence and the occupational turnover intentions (β = − .226, p = .029), as well as between the perception of autonomy and affective commitment to the nursing profession (β = .240, p = .026). Conclusion and implications Positive relationships at work are a lever for professional adaptation for new nurses since they lead to the establishment of important psychological resources (competence and resilience) for their occupational health and occupational functioning. Health care institutions are therefore encouraged to strengthen harmonious, rewarding, satisfying and trusting relationships in their environments. In addition, they would benefit from directing the new nurse to the importance of their psychological resources, given their positive associations with the health and functioning indicators measured in this study. The implications of the study are discussed in light of the most recent literature on the adaptation of new nurses. Trial registration Not applicable.