A Scoping Review of Instruments Used to Measure Resilience in Samples of Nurses

ABSTRACT Aim To identify and critically appraise instruments that have been used to measure nurse resilience. Design A scoping review. Data Sources Comprehensive literature searches were conducted using four electronic databases CINAHL Ultimate, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Emcare from the year 2012 to December 2024. Methods The titles, then abstracts, of retrieved articles were screened by the authors against inclusion and exclusion criteria, then full‐text screening was performed using Rayyan. Data about the study characteristics and the instruments used to measure nurse resilience were extracted. Copies of the instruments used to measure resilience were obtained and appraised. Results Of the n = 4694 publications identified in the initial search n = 386 were included in the scoping review. Studies originated in n = 45 countries, the majority were conducted in China ( n = 119) and the United States of America ( n = 53). Across the n = 386 included studies, n = 15 instruments to measure resilience were identified and critically appraised. The scores for the instruments critically appraised ranged from 0 to 6 out of a total possible score of 11. Synthesis of results examined instrument development, instrument features and application of instruments. Conclusion Critical appraisal of the instruments used to measure nurse resilience revealed significant deficiencies. None of the instruments included all of the key attributes and factors that influence nurse resilience. There was a predominant focus on individual factors and little consideration of the influence of nursing work environments. Due to the shortcomings of the existing instruments, there are currently substantial limitations in our understanding of nurse resilience and how to measure it. Implications for the Profession A profession‐specific comprehensive measure of nurse resilience needs to be developed to better capture the attributes of nurse resilience. Impact This review highlights the limitations of instruments applied to measure nurse resilience. Reporting Method The JBI scoping review framework. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.