Enhancing resilience of nursing education during war: policy implications from a qualitative study

Background: Education of nurses may be compromised during a crisis. On October 7, 2023, the “Iron Swords” war broke out in Israel. The academic year was postponed, and nursing education was disrupted. Despite the acknowledged importance of continuing nurse training during emergencies, research on this topic is scarce. Aim: To examine nursing school management activities and describe the adaptive strategies of academic frameworks during the war in Israel. Design and methods: This qualitative study was conducted in nursing schools in Israel that were directly affected by the Iron Swords War (October 7, 2023). We interviewed five of the seven chairs of nursing departments in Iron Swords conflict zones, content analyzed the interview text, and employed COREQ reporting guidelines for this qualitative study. Results: Six main themes were identified: Management and leadership under uncertainty; Resilience and preparedness; Supporting well-being and inclusivity; Adaptability and innovation in the educational process; Fostering a sense of community; and Engagement of students and faculties in the crisis response. One of the most remarkable findings was the blending of personal and professional roles, as manifested in the immediate response and re-organization by the academic and administrative staff. Discussion: The ability of academia to maintain function and make decisions under conditions of uncertainty is of paramount importance. This requires collaborative decision-making, leveraging diverse perspectives, fostering inclusivity, and enhancing the effectiveness of responses. Maintaining routines creates a feeling of belonging, promotes setting and realization of goals, provides meaning, and maintains motivation. Conclusions: The results provide insights into the management of nursing education during prolonged emergencies and health policy implications. Although focused on a war scenario, the findings have broader implications and offer strategies applicable to more general crises.