Nurse Executive Experiences With COVID-19

Abstract

We conducted semistructured telephone interviews with 2 hospital-based nurse leaders who supervised nurses during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in northeastern region of the United States. These interviews are a subset of a larger study with 11 nurse executives who supervised nurses during both natural and human-made disasters in different regions of the United States. Qualitative data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach, followed by a content analysis of emerging themes. Participants shared several key concepts: deep commitment of nurses in an extensive range of roles and responsibilities during tragic events; an emphasis on educational needs to best prepare nurses for disaster response; the importance of organizational strategies and definitive policies for supporting nurses' response and recovery; and mental/emotional health support as essential for nurses to cope with the events. The nurse executive participants reported many opportunities to enhance nurses' knowledge and skill set to augment care in the hospital. A team-based approach that leverages the expertise of team members to strengthen the health care team is implemented and demonstrates positive patient outcomes.

Walking into a COVID Petri Dish

“…Similarly, participants voiced feelings of guilt and angst between personal and family safety and a sense of professional duty (Sterling et al, 2020). Langan et al (2022) also referred to the pandemic experience like a “ continuous roller coaster ride ” for nurse executives demonstrating that all levels of providers may have shared similar emotional responses despite proximity to direct patient care.…”

“…Home care leaders need to be visible and transparent to reduce emotional uncertainties that negatively affect patients and staff. When leaders listen to staff and provide opportunities to give input into solving practice problems, they allow providers to feel they are part of the solution (Jones et al, 2020; Langan et al, 2022). Kelley et al (2022) also found that clear communication in an organized and strategic fashion from leadership to the frontline was important to providers.…”