Thriving in Nursing Work: The Association Between Self‐Reports and Biomarkers of Stress, Inflammation and Neuroplasticity

ABSTRACT

Aim

To examine whether self-reported thriving at work is associated with biomarkers of stress, inflammation, neuroplasticity and neurodegeneration in nurses.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

An online questionnaire measuring thriving at work was administered to nurses in a teaching hospital in Michigan, U.S. over 5 weeks in 2024. A subsample of 100 questionnaire respondents provided blood samples for biomarker analysis. Multiple regression was used to identify self-reported and biomarker predictors of nurse thriving. Cluster analysis was used to distinguish between nurses with high and low levels of thriving based on a combination of self-report and biomarker data.

Results

Higher self-reports of individual and work-related resources predicted higher thriving. Cortisol, a stress hormone, was significantly and inversely associated with thriving. No blood-based biomarkers of inflammation or neuroplasticity predicted thriving. Neurofilament light chain, a marker of neurodegeneration, was not a direct predictor but modified the effects of interpersonal and work resources on thriving.

Conclusion

Biological markers do play a role in nurses' thriving at work and may contribute important complementary information to that provided by nurse self-reports.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Nurses thrive in a work situation characterised by positive reports of individual, interpersonal and work resources and lower levels of stress. Efforts to enhance thriving could positively impact nurses' well-being and conditions for providing high-quality patient care.

Impact

This study addressed the question of whether self-reported thriving at work among nurses is reflected in biomarkers of stress, inflammation, and neurocognitive health. A profile of high self-reported work-related resources and low cortisol distinguished higher levels of nurses' thriving from lower levels. Organisational efforts to enhance nurses' thriving can positively impact nurses' health, their work environment, and patient care.

Reporting Method

We followed the STROBE checklist in reporting this study.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or public contribution.