Unbearable suffering while working as a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative descriptive study

Littzen-Brown, Chloé; Dolan, Hanne; Norton, Angie; Bethel, Claire; May, Jennifer T; Rainbow, Jessica G.

doi:10.1016/j.ijnsa.2023.100127

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(37 reference statements)

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“…Similar to this study, it has been shown that staff shortage and the resulting demand to do mandatory overtime contributed to poor patient outcomes, burnout, increased stress, and compassion fatigue among nurses. [12,13,26,38,39] However, resilience and a sense of duty assisted in combating the dissatisfaction experienced, and an overall strong sense of kinship contributed to job satisfaction. Findings confirmed the need for so-called "after care" for nurses by leadership and administrators, which could come in the form of transparent and improved communication as well as new measures for ongoing support.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[10,11] Nurses have publicly acknowledged and accepted the sacrifice and risks associated with the pandemic but acknowledge the need for psychological support to effectively carry out their roles. [5,12,13] Psychological pressures associated with COVID-19 can cause nurses to question their ability and capacity to provide effective nursing care due to burnout, high patient death tolls, and loss of colleagues through attrition and death, thus negatively influencing nurses' self-efficacy. [14,15] Self-efficacy is the perception that one can accomplish a specific task, goal, or set of tasks associated with a discipline.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[4] COVID-related system-induced trauma includes RNs seeing colleagues become ill and die, contributing to increasing feelings of fear, guilt, shame, helplessness, and hopelessness; this also negatively influences nurses' self-efficacy and job satisfaction. [5,13] Job satisfaction is the nurse's expectations about the job compared to their experience; this could be influenced by relationships with colleagues and leaders in the workplace. [24] The intense emotions nurses experience witnessing the effects of COVID-19 on patients, colleagues, and leadership ambiguity may lead to burnout and dissatisfaction with the profession; this may inspire RNs to leave nursing at a time when global nursing shortages are critical.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Who is caring for nurses? A qualitative description of psychological influence of COVID-19 pandemic on RNs’ self-efficacy and job satisfaction

Bryan

Stephens

Shippey-Heilman

et al. 2023

JNEP

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Working while undertaking graduate education in nursing is challenging at any time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many nurses continued to work on the frontline while completing their graduate studies. Healthcare workers, including nurses, were routinely exposed to several types of psychological trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we seek to generate an understanding of the psychological influence of COVID-19 on registered nurses’ (RNs’) self-efficacy and job satisfaction while commencing graduate studies in nursing and working in clinical practice during the pandemic. A qualitative descriptive design was used to explore written reflections from 72 RNs enrolled in their first Master of Nursing graduate course at an online university. The RNs’ online discussion postings related to the impact of the pandemic on nursing. Data were analysed using content and thematic analysis. Analysis revealed five overriding themes around job satisfaction and self-efficacy: level of professional involvement and guilt, communication of information and leadership, psychological and physical wellbeing, the safety of self and others, and relationships to and within the nursing profession. Overall, a strong sense of kinship contributed to job satisfaction and self-efficacy. Findings confirmed the need for so-called “aftercare” for nurses by leadership and administrators. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been considerable on the individual nurse’s sense of self-efficacy and job satisfaction, and this is particularly noted in nurses who commenced graduate studies during the pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Who is caring for nurses? A qualitative description of psychological influence of COVID-19 pandemic on RNs’ self-efficacy and job satisfaction

Bryan

Stephens

Shippey-Heilman

et al. 2023

JNEP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Reframing covenant for nursing: From individual commitments to covenant with society

Wolfs,

Jantzen,

Fowler

et al. 2024

Nursing Philosophy

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Today's constrained healthcare environment can make it very difficult for nurses to provide compassionate, competent, and ethical care, and yet their continued commitment to care is viewed as requisite. Nurses' commitment to care of patients, enmeshed with professional identity, may be understood as heroic. A few nursing scholars have advanced the concept of a nurse‐patient covenant to explain or inspire nurses' commitment to care. Covenant describes an enduring relationship characterised by mutual promises and generous responsiveness. However, recent critique has revealed a general misunderstanding and misuse of the term covenant in much of the nursing literature whereby individual nurses are improperly and impossibly idealised as holding sole responsibility in the commitment to care. Such an interpretation obscures society's responsibilities in caring for both patients and nurses and contributes to the idealisation of nurses' commitment to extend themselves to fill in healthcare system gaps. Yet, the concept of a covenant relationship, when reframed as occurring between society and the profession of nursing, may lead us toward solutions to the very problems the originally misused concept sustained. Evidence within healthcare systems globally suggests that nurses' commitments are fragile or fragmented under duress due to increasing pressure, demands, and even risks. A reframing of covenant has the common good for society and nursing at its core and, we argue, may lead to a more sustainable nursing identity. We present the results of an exploratory project, undertaken to examine the utility and suitability of covenant as a relational framework for nursing. We explore a reframing of a covenant of care as a relationship between nursing and society, which may provide a fruitful path toward a sustainable, shared commitment for healthcare. This covenant of care re‐centres shared work—a joint responsibility between society and nursing—as necessary for the common good.

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Factors Contributing to Nurses’ Intention to Leave the Profession: A Qualitative Study in Catalonia, Spain, following the Latest Waves of COVID-19

Watson,

Bernabeu-Tamayo,

Giménez-Díez

et al. 2024

Journal of Nursing Management

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Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare professionals globally, with nurses facing diverse challenges at the forefront. Despite their resilience, nurses are experiencing emotional burdens, which have contributed to a growing intention to abandon the profession. Understanding these factors is crucial for addressing the global nursing shortage. Methods. A qualitative descriptive approach was utilized for this study. Nurses who were actively working during the last waves of the pandemic in Catalonia, Spain, were intentionally recruited through social media and personal contacts, and data were collected through online semistructured interviews until data saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis method. Results. Fourteen nurses, with an average of 22.8 years of work experience, were interviewed. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: (1) the impact of COVID-19 on health, (2) factors influencing the decision to stay, and (3) recommendations to improve crisis management. Conclusion. Nurses faced significant emotional impacts but demonstrated dedication and resilience. Their decision to persevere was influenced by factors such as responsibility, guilt, and economic stability. Urgent measures are necessary to provide tailored mental health support and recognize emotional challenges in crisis preparedness.

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Unbearable suffering while working as a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative descriptive study

Cited by 4 publications

References 29 publications

Who is caring for nurses? A qualitative description of psychological influence of COVID-19 pandemic on RNs’ self-efficacy and job satisfaction

Who is caring for nurses? A qualitative description of psychological influence of COVID-19 pandemic on RNs’ self-efficacy and job satisfaction

Reframing covenant for nursing: From individual commitments to covenant with society

Factors Contributing to Nurses’ Intention to Leave the Profession: A Qualitative Study in Catalonia, Spain, following the Latest Waves of COVID-19

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