Informal peer support as a mental health resource for hospital nurses: a qualitative study in Singapore

Abstract

Background:

Nursing work involves significant emotional, cognitive, and physical demands, making peer support an essential resource for sustaining well-being and resilience. Peer support among nurses is a collaborative process where nurses provide assistance to each other. Although formal peer support programmes are available in some organisations, the informal, everyday support that underpins clinical practice remains less understood.

Aims:

This study explored clinical nurses’ experiences of informal peer support in an acute hospital in Singapore.

Methods:

Twelve registered nurses were recruited through convenience sampling, and semi-structured interviews were conducted between June and December 2024. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase approach.

Results:

Four themes were identified: (1) peer support requires effort and intentionality, (2) boundaries shape how support is negotiated, (3) leadership shapes the culture of support, and (4) peer support promotes resilience and retention. Informal support was experienced as psychologically complex yet critical for resilience, job satisfaction, and sustainability of practice.

Conclusions:

These results highlight the need for healthcare organisations to foster psychological safety and strengthen informal support mechanisms to protect nurses’ well-being and promote retention.