Australian nurses' and midwives’ perceptions of their workplace environment during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundWorking as a front-line worker during a pandemic is a unique situation that requires a supportive work environment. An informed understanding of nurses' and midwives’ workplace experiences during a pandemic, such as COVID-19, may enable better preparation and targeted support for future pandemics at an individual, organisational, and policy level.AimThe aim of this study was to explore nurses' and midwives’ workplace experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic response.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey consisting of open-ended questions was conducted with a convenience sample of nurses and midwives (n = 1003) working in New South Wales Health hospital settings, in Australia. Open-ended questions were analysed using content analysis.ResultsFive themes were identified; ‘organisational communication’, ‘workplace support’, ‘availability of personal protective equipment’, ‘flexible working’, and ‘new ways of working’. Nurses' and midwives’ workplace experiences during COVID-19 were influenced by leaders who were perceived to be adaptive, authentic, responsive, transparent, and visible. While many expressed a number of workplace challenges, including access to personal protective equipment, there was opportunity to explore, develop, and evaluate new and alternate models of care and working arrangements.ConclusionIt is important that nurses and midwives are supported and well prepared to cope during pandemics in the workplace. Organisational leadership and timely dissemination of transparent pandemic plans may support nurses’ adaptive workplace experiences.     

The effects of the reorganisation of an intensive care unit due to COVID-19 on nurses’ wellbeing: An observational cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effects of the reorganisation of an intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on wellbeing perceived by nurses.MethodsAn observational cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate wellbeing perceived by nurses who during the study were on duty in the COVID-19 intensive care unit. The “Covid-19-Nurse Well-being at Work (NWB) scale” questionnaire consisting of 72 items divided into 13 sections, was validated and used to collect data.ResultsThe level of wellbeing perceived by the nurses was very good (4.77; SD 0.83). Differences in the of level of perceived wellbeing were found for “years of experience” and the various levels of competence. We found a positive correlation between “female gender” and “nurses’ togetherness and collaboration”, a negative correlation between “male gender” and “satisfactory practical organisation of work, and a negative correlation between “work experience” and the overall “level of wellbeing at work.ConclusionsThe reorganisation had positive effects in terms of wellbeing perceived by the nurses. The factors that contributed mostly to the perception of wellbeing were in the area of “support”, “communication, and “socializing with colleagues”. It is appropriate to consider “gender differences”, “work experience” and “levels of competence” when implementing this type of reorganisation to respond to a pandemic or a health emergency.     

Overseas qualified nurses’ sociocultural adaptation into the Australian healthcare system: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundOverseas qualified nurses (OQNs) face various challenges while adjusting to the Australian healthcare system. However, few studies to date have identified specific factors affecting their sociocultural adjustment, health and psychology.AimsThe primary aim was to examine factors associated with OQNs’ sociocultural adjustment to the Australian healthcare system. A secondary aim was to determine whether there was a correlation between OQNs’ sociocultural adjustment and their mental and physical health.MethodsA questionnaire was sent electronically to 2,250 randomly selected OQNs through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, and later distributed to 50 OQNs in person through Western Health, Melbourne. Sociocultural adjustment was assessed using the Sociocultural Adaptation Scale-Revised. The Nurse International and Transition Questionnaire-2 was used to explore the factors involved in sociocultural adjustment: these were pull factors, push factors, initial experiences, job satisfaction, feeling at home, and reactions to the working environment. The Perceived Stress Scale and General Health Questionnaire-12 were used to assess psychological adjustment and general health, respectively.FindingsA total of 200 participants completed the questionnaire. The mean age (SD) of the participants was 32.79 (6.91) with 161 (80%) holding a bachelor degree. In the adjusted multivariate linear regression, job satisfaction (β = 0.24, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.36), current work environment (β = 0.27, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.49) and feeling at home (β = 0.32, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.50) were independently positively associated with sociocultural adaptation. Sociocultural adaptation was negatively related to PSS (r = −0.14, β = −0.16, p = 0.04) and GHQ12 (r = −0.36, p < 0.001, β = −0.59).DiscussionThree factors (job satisfaction, current work environment, and feeling at home in Australia) were found to be significant in measuring OQNs’ level of sociocultural adaptation. When the level of sociocultural adaptation was high, OQNs reported better general and psychological health.ConclusionJob satisfaction and feeling supported in the workplace are the most important factors influencing OQNs’ successful adjustment into the Australian healthcare system.     

Oncology patients’ and oncology nurses’ views on palliative chemotherapy: A cross-sectional comparison

BackgroundPalliative chemotherapy may be offered to patients with incurable cancer with the goal of extending life and improving quality of life. However, the adverse effects that may be associated with chemotherapy can negatively impact patients’ quality of life. Oncology nurses have an integral role in caring for patients during the decision-making process and may understand the potential implications of treatment options being offered to patients.Objectives(1) To compare the views of medical oncology outpatients and oncology nurses about palliative chemotherapy near the end of life. (2) To examine the reasons oncology nurses gave for choosing not to receive palliative chemotherapy.DesignCross-sectional comparison study.Settings and participantsA total of 194 patients, aged 18 years or over with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer who were attending a medical oncology outpatient clinic for their second or subsequent appointment completed a pen and paper survey between September 2015 and January 2016. One hundred and seven nurses who were members of an oncology nursing society or employed in an oncology setting in a participating metropolitan hospital completed an online survey between May 2018 and July 2019.Outcome measuresParticipants were presented with data derived from the Coping with Cancer study comparing six quality of life and care outcomes for patients who received, or did not receive, palliative chemotherapy in the last 6 months of life. Participants were asked to consider the data and indicate what option they would choose if they were in the same situation. Choices included: have chemotherapy; do not have chemotherapy; and unsure. Participating nurses were also asked to provide reasons for their choices.ResultsThree-quarters of participating nurses indicted they would not have palliative chemotherapy if it was offered to them, compared to just over one-third of people with cancer (p < 0.001). The top three reasons participating nurses gave for not having palliative chemotherapy were: wanting to make the most of their remaining time; increasing the chance of dying in the location of their choice; and the limited benefit of palliative chemotherapy in the last 6 months of life.ConclusionNurses in this study were significantly less likely than patients to indicate a willingness to have palliative chemotherapy if they were in the last 6 months of life. Further research is needed to examine how nurses’ knowledge and experience can help patients to make informed decisions about their care with the goal of achieving an end-of-life experience that best aligns with their wishes.     

COVID-19: Korean nurses’ experiences and ongoing tasks for the pandemic’s second wave

Nurses are the largest group of healthcare workers in the world, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses have been recognized worldwide as frontline warriors working hard to stem suffering, infection rates and deaths. Korean nurses experienced the effects of the pandemic earlier than in most other countries, and the work of our nurses has been recognized as a successful model in responding COVID-19. In this paper, we share the experiences of Korean nurses, including their experiences of workload, acute shortages of staff and equipment and work overload, and suggest ongoing tasks that need to be addressed to combat the pandemic’s second wave and other possible waves. Specifically, the nursing issues relating to COVID-19 are critically reviewed and recommendations for each issue are suggested in terms of nursing staffing, practice and policy, as well as health policy.     

Australian graduating nurses’ knowledge,intentions and beliefs on infection prevention and control: a cross-sectional study

Background

In recent year, national bodies have been actively addressing the increasing concern on the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The current study measures the knowledge, intentions and beliefs of third-year Australian nursing students on key infection prevention and control (IPC) concepts.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of final-year undergraduate nursing students from Schools of Nursing at six Australian universities was undertaken. Students were asked to participate in an anonymous survey. The survey explored knowledge of standard precautions and transmission based precautions. In addition intentions and beliefs towards IPC were explored.

Results

349 students from six universities completed the study. 59.8% (95% CI 58.8–60.8%) of questions were answered correctly. Significantly more standard precaution questions were correctly answered than transmission-based precaution questions (p?<?0.001). No association was found between self-reported compliance with IPC activities and gender or age. Certain infection control issues were correlated with the percentage of correctly answered transmission-based precaution questions. The participants were most likely to seek infection control information from an infection control professional.

Conclusion

Knowledge on transmission-based precautions was substandard. As transmission-based precautions are the foundation of IPC for serious organisms and infections, education institutions should reflect on the content and style of educational delivery on this topic.