How critical activities within COVID-19 intensive care units increase nurses’ daily occupational calling.

Abstract

During normal and predictable circumstances, employees' occupational calling (i.e., a transcendent passion to use their talent and competencies toward positive societal impact and a sense of meaningfulness derived from working in a chosen occupational domain) is observed to be relatively stable. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, circumstances have become anything but normal and predictable, thus putting employees' sense of occupational calling to the test. In this study, we investigate the possibility that occupational calling fluctuates across days during situations of crisis, and we identify antecedents and consequence of such fluctuations. To test our model, we conducted a daily diary study of 66 nurses working in intensive care units over 5 consecutive work days in a specialized Wuhan hospital that only admitted confirmed COVID-19 patients during the peak of the pandemic in China. We found that the daily number of code blue events (i.e., cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts with the primary goal of patient revival) was positively related to daily occupational calling for nurses. Moreover, individual differences in prosocial motivation predicted the average level and variability of occupational calling over the 5 days, which subsequently related to the nurses' job performance. Our study sheds light on how occupational calling enables people with the needed occupational knowledge and skills to function effectively in crisis situations.

Exploring and managing psychiatric symptoms in ICU healthcare professionals during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: a focused review and guideline

“…13 Alarmingly, studies revealed 2% to 13% of ICU HCPs experienced thoughts of self-harm or thoughts of better off being dead, with nurses reporting a prevalence as high as 19%. 13,16 Prevalence or severity in depressive symptoms was significantly associated with ICU employment, female identification, employment as a nurse, and presence of other psychiatric comorbidities. 10,13,15 Similarly, HCPs employed in high-risk wards such as the ICU, ED and Respiratory Department were significantly more likely to suffer from depression compared to non-clinical staff, and one Polish study discovered more than 99% of frontline employees met the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) criteria for depressive symptoms.…”

“…1,7 Prevalence of related depressive symptoms in ICU HCPs was demonstrated in one Chinese study stating 59% of nurses reported decreased appetite, 55% felt fatigued, and 26% admitted to frequent crying, while a Turkish study reported 30% of HCPs felt hopelessness and despair. 12,16 In addition, two substantial European studies measured the prevalence of substance use among ICU HCPs during the pandemic. One study claimed more than one in three intensivists took sleeping pills, 10% smoked cigarettes, and 12% reported excessive alcohol intake two months into the pandemic.…”

“…24 Healthcare professionals in ICUs experiencing fear and anxiety also suffered from psycho-somatic symptoms including shortness of breath, muscle tension, and changes in appetite or gastrointestinal trouble. 16,25 Similarly, 38% of medical staff reported experiencing at least one nervous breakdown. 25 Although few studies explored the role of protective factors against anxiety in ICU HCPs, increased mental well-being and male identification was significantly associated with lower levels of anxiety.…”

“…Current data suggested the prevalence of sleep disturbances ranged from 27% to 68%. 10,12,16,17,25,31 One Polish study encompassing 441 HCPs from various frontline wards reported 100% of HCPs met the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI-7) criteria for symptoms of sleep disturbance. 7 The prevalence and severity of sleep disturbance among HCPs was significantly associated with ICU employment.…”

“…More research is needed to assess the unique risk factors of suicide facing healthcare workers employed in high-risk settings. 13,16 To provide ICU HCPs optimal psychiatric support, we must continue to utilize current scientific information to tailor mental health accommodations to their specific needs.…”