No abstract

Aim To understand the experiences of hospital nurse managers and assistant nurse managers during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States. Background Little research has been published about the experiences of nurse managers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Experiences of front‐line nurses have been well documented. This is the first phenomenological study to date in the United States on experiences of hospital nurse managers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Design Phenomenological qualitative approach. Methods Thirteen managers, seven nurse managers and six assistant nurse managers were interviewed about their experiences using audio–video teleconferencing and a semi‐structured interview guide. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research criteria for reporting qualitative research were used. Results The four major themes that emerged were as follows: being there for everyone; leadership challenges; struggles, support and coping; and strengthening my role. There were 11 subthemes. Conclusions A major focus of nurse managers during the pandemic was psychosocial support of front‐line nurses while at the same time experiencing stress and exhaustion themselves. Implications for nursing management More attention on the psychosocial needs of nurse managers, interventions to allay their exhaustion and provisions for readily available support are warranted.

No abstract

Emergency nurses working in general emergency divisions (EDs) are primarily trained to assess and treat acute physical problems. However, ED nurses often care for psychiatric patients and the perceptions of nurses in EDs regarding their experiences with psychiatric patients have not been well-studied. Using focus groups, the purpose of this study was to explore and describe ED nurses' experiences, and feelings caring for patients with mental illness. Krueger and Casey's qualitative analysis for focus groups was utilized to code and categorize phrases and identify themes from transcribed interviews. Four themes emerged; powerlessness best captured the overarching and substantive experience of the participants. Based on the findings, implications for emergency room care of psychiatric patients are described.