Community Resiliency Model, an introductory session

CRM is a skills-based wellness and prevention program that provides a biological, non-stigmatizing perspective on normal human reactions to stress and trauma. CRM concepts help people understand their autonomic nervous system responses and, as they learn to track sensations connected to their own wellbeing, they may live life more fully.  The primary focus of this self-care stabilization program is to learn techniques to reset the natural balance of the nervous system.

CRM was developed in international disaster situations and will be of immediate use to Georgia nurses under the strains of the current Coronavirus pandemic.  CRM can be a shared language for talking about the pressures of the pandemic and the inherently stressful nature of front-line work.  In addition, it helps individuals who cope with chronic or cumulative stress, e.g., front-line workers and persons chronically exposed to violence, poverty, or racism.

The adoption of a program such as CRM at an organizational level will allow individual healthcare workers to gain resiliency skills, and in the presence of organization support for a resiliency culture, it may be expected that there will be reduced occupational stress, burnout, mental health compromise, and turnover. 

About the presenters 

Ingrid Duva, PhD, RN – Clinical Assistant Professor, teaches in the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at Emory Nursing School.

Dr. Duva is an experienced nurse educator, health service researcher, and quality improvement specialist. For 15 years she worked as a manager, hospital administrator, and a process consultant. Dr. Duva found that building effective care teams and caring for caregivers was her career passion.  Her research interest is improving the work of nurses, including expanded scope of practice and building a positive work environment. Dr. Duva became a certified CRM instructor to strengthen the capacity of nurses and teachers in schools. She has since taught healthcare providers, child advocates in the community, school counselors and students, and found this model to be universally beneficial and well received by all audiences.

Jordan Murphy, PhD, PNP (candidate), Director of Operations, Community Advance Practice Nurses, Inc. and Instructor, Emory Nursing School.

Dr. Murphy has nearly 5 years of experience teaching CRM to communities in GA, including homeless youth, pregnant incarcerated women, youth offenders, and nurses. In addition, Dr. Murphy has taught CRM in North Carolina and Florida, presented CRM at regional and international conferences, and completed a grant-funded CRM pilot study. Dr. Murphy has taught CRM emotional regulation skills to an estimated 500 individuals across 16 organizations. Her area of expertise is maternal and infant mental health and wellness.