“Like fighting a fire with a water pistol”: A qualitative study of the work experiences of critical care nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

AimTo understand the experience of critical care nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic, through the application of the Job‐Demand‐Resource model of occupational stress.DesignQualitative interview study.MethodsTwenty‐eight critical care nurses (CCN) working in ICU in the UK NHS during the COVID‐19 pandemic took part in semi‐structured interviews between May 2021 and May 2022. Interviews were guided by the constructs of the Job‐Demand Resource model. Data were analysed using framework analysis.ResultsThe most difficult job demands were the pace and amount, complexity, physical and emotional effort of their work. Prolonged high demands led to CCN experiencing emotional and physical exhaustion, burnout, post‐traumatic stress symptoms and impaired sleep. Support from colleagues and supervisors was a core job resource. Sustained demands and impaired physical and psychological well‐being had negative organizational consequences with CCN expressing increased intention to leave their role.ConclusionsThe combination of high demands and reduced resources had negative impacts on the psychological well‐being of nurses which is translating into increased consideration of leaving their profession.Implications for the Profession and/or Patient CareThe full impacts of the pandemic on the mental health of CCN are unlikely to resolve without appropriate interventions.ImpactManagers of healthcare systems should use these findings to inform: (i) the structure and organization of critical care workplaces so that they support staff to be well, and (ii) supportive interventions for staff who are carrying significant psychological distress as a result of working during and after the pandemic. These changes are required to improve staff recruitment and retention.Reporting MethodWe used the COREQ guidelines for reporting qualitative studies.Patient and Public ContributionSix CCN provided input to survey content and interview schedule. Two authors and members of the study team (T.S. and S.C.) worked in critical care during the pandemic.

Association between organizational support and turnover intention in nurses: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The more the well-being of nurses deteriorates, the higher the likelihood of turnover intention (Mirzaei et al, 2021;Pang et al, 2020). Nurses often feel both weak and defenseless in the face of di cult situations, as in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic (Miller et al, 2023).…”

“…In these challenging and di cult times, the support they receive, either at departmental level from their supervisor or at organizational level, helps them to cope with these di culties and mitigates their impact on their well-being (Jung et al, 2020;Miller et al, 2023) .…”

Quiet quitting among nurses increases their turnover intention: Evidence from Greece in the post-COVID-19 era

“…Work experience is a protective factor that can reduce nurses' burnout and job dissatisfaction (Yu et al, 2020;Zhang et al, 2021). However, within the extremely di cult working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, where nurses often felt unable to cope with the demands of work (Miller et al, 2023), it seems that work experience was not enough to protect them. The Greek health system, moreover, has for decades been one of the most understaffed (in terms of nursing staff) among developed countries (OECD, 2021).…”

Quiet Quitting among Nurses Increases Their Turnover Intention: Evidence from Greece in the Post-COVID-19 Era

“…Work experience is a protective factor that can reduce nurses’ burnout and job dissatisfaction [ 49 , 50 ]. However, within the extremely difficult working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, where nurses often felt unable to cope with the demands of work [ 51 ], it seems that work experience was not enough to protect them. The Greek health system, moreover, has for decades been one of the most understaffed (in terms of nursing staff) among developed countries [ 52 ].…”