Library Europe's largest nursing-specific collection

Your web browser is outdated and may be insecure

The RCN recommends using an updated browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome

Wellbeing, Self Care and Resilience

Use this guide to find information resources about wellbeing, self care and resilience for nursing staff including books, reports and journal articles.

Last updated: 17/09/2024

Key Resources

RCN: Managing stress
  • On these pages, you'll find resources to help manage your stress and access support. And you'll find information for managers and RCN reps who work at an organisational level to create safe and healthy workplaces.
    View page
Royal College of Nursing (2015) Stress and you: a guide for nursing staff, London: RCN. Royal College of Nursing (2015) Stress and you: a guide for nursing staff. London: RCN.
RCN advice guide: bullying and harassment
The King's Fund (2022) What is compassionate leadership?
RCN clinical topic on looking after ourselves
RCN clinical topic on physical activity
RCN clinical topic on self-care
RCN clinical topic on suicide awareness
RCN: Rest, rehydrate, refuel
  • The resources provide information, advice and tips about breaks at work, keeping hydrated and employers' responsibilities.
    View page
Royal College of Nursing (2019) Time and space: enabling defusing activities. London: RCN.
RCN Counselling Service: Mental health and wellbeing
West M, Bailey S and Williams E (2020) The courage of compassion. Supporting nurses and midwives to deliver high quality care. London: King’s Fund.
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS): Supporting mental health at work
Health and Safety Executive: Stress and mental health at work
NHS: Mental health
Reading Well: Books on Prescription
  • Helps you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using helpful reading. The books are chosen by health experts and people living with the conditions covered.
    View page
We would like to thank the RCN Counselling Service for their input into the development of this subject guide.

COVID-19

RCN: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) advice and guidance
RCN: Supporting your mental wellbeing
  • Includes advice and support for your mental wellbeing during COVID-19.
    View page

Books

Book cover Allen B and Fidderman H (2019) Your health at work: an indispensable guide to physical and mental wellbeing. London: KoganPage.
Book jacket Battye A (2022) Self-care for allied health professionals: from surviving to thriving. London: Routledge, Taylor and Francis.
Book cover Boyd C (2023) Wellbeing strategies for nurses. 2nd edn. (Student survival series). Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.
Book cover Chowthi-Williams A (2023) Wellbeing and resilience for nursing, health and social care students. London: SAGE.
Book cover image May N B, Cunningham T and Fontaine D K (2023) Self care for nurses: small doses for wellness. Indianapolis: Sigma.
Book cover image Steele W (2020) Reducing compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress and burnout: a trauma-sensitive workbook. New York: Routledge.
Book cover image Todaro-Franceschi V (2025) Compassion fatigue and burnout in nursing: enhancing professional quality of life. 3rd edn. New York: Springer Publishing.
Book jacket Drayton M (2021) Anti-burnout: how to create a psychologically safe and high-performance organisation. Milton: Taylor and Francis.
Book cover Hasson G and Butler D (2020) Mental health and wellbeing in the workplace: a practical guide for employers and employees. Newark: John Wiley & Sons.
Book cover Kuipers S (2021) The thriving giver: 7 principles for health professionals and caregivers to enhance self-care and prevent burnout. Tadley: Practical Inspiration Publishing.
Book cover Mealer M (2020) Coping with caring: a nurse’s guide to better health and job satisfaction. Milton: Productivity Press.
Book cover Traynor M (2020) Stories of resilience in nursing: tales from the frontline of nursing. Milton: Taylor and Francis Group.

Book subject searches

Use these links to see details of books the RCN libraries hold on each topic.

Journal articles

Use these links for details of journal articles on each topic.

Journals

Journal cover image Journals of interest for wellbeing, self care and resilience. Use these links to see details of availability.

This subject guide relates to:

RCN Library staff

Abigail Kleboe

Editor of this guide

RCN Library and Museum

Page last updated - 17/09/2024