The Influence of Empowered Work Environments on the Psychological Experiences of Nursing Assistants During COVID-19: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Nursing Assistants (NA) who feel empowered tend to perform their duties better, have higher morale and job satisfaction, and are less likely to leave their jobs. Organizational empowerment practices in hospitals likely shape the psychological experiences of empowerment among these personnel; however, little is known about this relationship.Objective: We used qualitative inquiry to explore the relationship between organizational empowerment structural components and feelings of psychological empowerment among hospital frontline workers during a public health emergency.Methods: Kanter’s Theory of Structural Empowerment and Spreitzer’s Psychological Empowerment in the Workplace Framework were applied to identify the conceptual influences of organizational practices on psychological experiences of empowerment. In-depth interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of NAs, caring for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Directed content analysis was performed to generate a data matrix consisting of the psychological experiences of meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact embedded under the organizational structural components of information, resources, support, and opportunity.Results: Thirteen NAs (mean age = 42 years, 92% female) completed interviews. Information, or lack thereof, provided to the NAs influenced feelings of fear, preparation, and autonomy. Resources (e.g., protocols, equipment, and person-power) made it easier to cope with overwhelming emotions, affected the NAs’ abilities to do their jobs, and when limited, drove NAs to take on new roles. NAs noted that support was mostly provided by nurses and made the NAs feel appreciated, desiring to contribute more. While NAs felt they could consult leadership when needed, several felt leadership showed little appreciation for their roles and contributions. Similar to support, the opportunity to take care of COVID-19 patients yielded a diverse array of emotions, exposed advances and gaps in NA preparation, and challenged NAs to autonomously develop new care practices and processes.Conclusion: Management and empowerment of healthcare workers are critical to hospital performance and success. We found many ways in which the NAs’ psychological experiences of empowerment were shaped by the healthcare system’s empowerment-related structural conditions during a public health emergency. To further develop an empowered and committed critical workforce, hospitals must acknowledge the organizational practice influence on the psychological experiences of empowerment among NAs.

Satisfação No Processo De Trabalho Dos Enfermeiros Frente À Pandemia Da Covid-19: Revisão Integrativa Da Literatura

“…Outro ponto influente que causou a insatisfação do processo de trabalho do enfermeiro no início da pandemia foi à falta de informações fornecidas, influenciando os sentimentos de medo, falta de preparação, autonomia e competência. Travers et al (2020), compara esses sentimentos sendo semelhantes em outras crises de saúde públicas que surgiram como novas e sem precedentes, a exemplo da epidemia de AIDS dos anos 1980. Wuneh et al (2021), por sua vez, revela que mesmo os profissionais tendo conhecimento sobre as medidas de prevenção e controle da COVID-19, eles tinham percepções negativas sobre a doença e não estavam satisfeitos com seu trabalho atual.…”

“…É abordado também que os enfermeiros trabalham sua vulnerabilidade usando pontos fortes, como valores pessoais, sentimento de esperança no combate a pandemia, crenças, juntamente com suas habilidades profissionais no ambiente de trabalho e assim tornar mais propensos a permanecer na força de trabalho. De acordo com Travers et al (2020), o gerenciamento e a capacitação dos enfermeiros durante a pandemia são essenciais para melhorar sua satisfação no trabalho, desempenho, moral e retenção. É preciso trabalhar as experiências psicológicas de empoderamento e isso inclui: transmitir informações para aliviar os medos; capacitá-los e permitir que sejam autônomos, inovadores e pró-ativos quando houver novas oportunidades no local de trabalho; garantir o acesso aos recursos; fornecer apoio; reconhecer suas contribuições; permitir apoio espiritual também é importante.…”

Diversity equity and Inclusion: To advance infection prevention and control efforts, nursing assistants need to be given the opportunity to dance

“…They do not readily sit in meetings in which their presence is critical (eg, huddles or resident and patient care discussions), and ways for them to contribute to resident care plans are often not standardized. 9 The intention may be for nursing assistants to be a part of these spaces, however, the nursing assistants being classified as too busy is often used as an excuse for not extending the invitation. 9 , 10 When nursing assistants are not invited to the party, they are not held accountable for IPC efforts in ways that can help them appreciate their potential impact in this area.…”

“… 9 The intention may be for nursing assistants to be a part of these spaces, however, the nursing assistants being classified as too busy is often used as an excuse for not extending the invitation. 9 , 10 When nursing assistants are not invited to the party, they are not held accountable for IPC efforts in ways that can help them appreciate their potential impact in this area. 10 During the pandemic, specifically, many decisions around COVID-19 were often made without the input of nursing assistants.…”

A comparison in terms of resilience and anxiety between nurses working in COVID-19 wards and nurses working in other wards: a descriptive cross-sectional study in southern Iran

“…Relationship between variables affecting anxiety and resilience using linear regression comparison in terms of resilience and anxiety between nurses working in COVID-19 wards and nurses working in other wards: a descriptive cross-sectional study in southern Iran Thus, nursing administrators must employ effective strategies, e.g. resilience training and stress management, to decrease nurses' anxiety and exposure to occupational injuries and enhance their resilience Travers et al (2020). reported that the psychological empowerment of nurses in COVID-19 hospital wards lowers their occupational anxiety and improves their resilience skills.…”