The COVID-19 pandemic – A focus on nurse managers’ mental health,coping behaviours and organisational commitment

BackgroundThe emergence of COVID-19 has substantially impacted frontline health care workers, including nurse managers. To date, no studies have been conducted to examine the impact COVID-19 has had on Nurse Managers’ mental health, coping strategies and organisational commitment.AimTo investigate the mental health, coping behaviours, and organisational commitment among Nurse Managers during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsCross-sectional study involving 59 Nursing Managers from one Local Health District in Sydney Australia during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected relating to demographics, anxiety, coping strategies and organisational commitment.ResultsOverall, approximately three quarters of the Nurse Managers had high anxiety scores. Managers who had worked longer as a nurse had higher scores for adaptive coping strategies and 41% of Nurse Managers considered leaving their jobs.ConclusionsStrategies to minimise anxiety and enable coping as part of organisational disaster, emergency or crisis planning for Nurse Managers may result in decreased anxiety and stress levels, increased use of adaptive coping strategies and lower intent to leave the organisation and the nursing profession.     

Health-care professionals coping responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan

BackgroundIn the initial stage of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 creates a prodigious uncertainty not only in general population but also in health care professionals. This often leads to emotional distress in general public and particularly in health care professionals.ObjectivesDuring COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan, the health care professionals experienced unusual stressors. This study aimed to examine the coping responses, optimism, pessimism and psychiatric morbidity of health professionals serving the COVID-19 patients.ParticipantsTotal 87, health care professionals take part in study, whom 36 were physicians and 51 nursing staff. Among these 44 were male, and 43 were female.MethodResearchers used cross sectional research design in this study. Physicians and nurses completed self-reported questionnaires. Participants provided demographics data and recorded their responses to self-administered questionnaires. Researchers administered Brief coping orientation to problems experiences (COPE) for assessing the coping strategies, while they assessed psychiatric morbidity through general health questionnaires. Similarly, future expectancy of health care professional was assessed by using life orientation scale. Participants were recruited from quarantine words in two federal government hospitals providing health care services to COVID-19 patients in Pakistan.ResultThe result showed a significant relationship in optimism and problem focus coping style and avoidance coping style. Moreover, male health professionals score high on optimism as compared to female health professionals. While, avoidance coping style were seen higher in female health professional as compare to male. The result revealed that optimism and psychiatric morbidity were significantly positive in health professionals having problem focus and avoidance coping style.     

Emergency management of nursing human resources and supplies to respond to coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic

ObjectiveTo introduce the emergency management of nursing human resources and supplies of a large general hospital when facing the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).MethodThe Nursing Department of the hospital fully executed its functional authority to establish a three-level echelon of sustainable support, allocate human recourses dynamically, organize pre-service training, supervise the key working steps, formulate positive incentive methods, and deploy medical supplies scientifically.ResultBy taking these strategies, the hospital effectively improved the coping capacity of the nursing team and played a positive role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.ConclusionThe emergency management of nursing human resources and material resources for COVID-19 of the hospital is successful. But several deficiencies were identified as well, which indicated that the hospital needs to establish an efficient emergency management system, and pay attention to the practice of nursing emergency plans to enhance coping capacities in public health emergencies.     

Nursing student experiences in turmoil: A year of the pandemic and social strife during final clinical rotations

BackgroundThe duration and magnitude of the coronavirus (COVID-19) posed unique challenges for nursing students, whose education was altered because of the pandemic.PurposeTo explore the perceptions and experiences of nursing students whose clinical rotations were abruptly interrupted by COVID-19's initial surge in the United States.MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted at a midwestern, academic medical center to elicit senior nursing students' experiences. An online survey was administered with eight open-ended questions asking about: initial impressions of the pandemic; experiences of being a senior nursing student; sources of stress and coping mechanisms; preparing to work as a registered nurse; and views on the nursing profession.ResultsAmong the 26 students who completed the survey, the majority were female (92%), aged 28 ∓ 4.1 years. A total of 18 subcategories emerged with four main themes identified as: a) breakdown of normal systems, b) feeling alone and the inability to escape, c) protective factors/adaptability, and d) role identify and formation.ConclusionsFindings indicate students implemented a variety of strategies while adapting to the abrupt interruption of in-person clinical rotations, mandated restrictions, and social unrest. The cascading themes illustrate the enormity of sudden changes and their significant impact on daily life.     

A year and a half later: Clinical experiences of intern nursing students in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A constructivist grounded theory

AimsThe aim of this study is to develop a theory to explore the clinical experiences of interns in clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic is a serious public health problem influencing the healthcare systems worldwide. Nursing students were excluded from clinical practice for a long time due to the pandemic. However, the prolonged and uncertain pandemic conditions required the inclusion of fourth-year nursing students in clinical practice.DesignA qualitative research design based on the Constructivist Grounded Theory approach was used in this study.MethodsThe research data were collected from fourth-year nursing students doing an internship at a university hospital in Turkey. Fourteen nursing students (12 females and 2 males) in the clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic with a mean age of 22.64 ± 0.225 were included in the study. In the collection of data, firstly, the purposeful sample selection method, then the theoretical sample selection method was used. On the online interview platform, the data were collected through individual interviews with those agreeing to participate in the study between July 2021 and August 2021 using a semi-structured interview form. The results were analyzed with initial, focused and theoretical coding. The research was reported based on the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guide.ResultsA core category and five main categories emerged in the study. The core category is a lonely bird and the main categories are emotions, challenges, coping methods, nursing experiences and solution suggestions.ConclusionsThis research can help create a conceptual framework of clinical practice experiences of intern nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is thought that intern nursing students need to be supported by reliable authorities before and during the internship. Intern students stated that they experienced many emotions together and felt alone. Our study results revealed that intern nurses need more psychological support, especially during the pandemic period. A remarkable finding of the research is that interns now think of themselves as professional nurses. For interns to develop effective coping methods, intensive and regular training should be organized in cooperation with the hospital and school administration.     

Perceptions and Experiences of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ObjectivesSince March 2020, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 pandemic has affected the global community, but poses unique challenges for individuals with cancer. Patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies undergo aggressive therapies followed by hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) as a potential curative treatment. HCT recipients can be immunocompromised for extended periods of time, and even pre-pandemic, transplant patients reported depression and anxiety due to restrictions and infection prevention measures they had to adhere to as part of transplant precautions. This study aimed to understand psychological distress and capture perspectives on coping strategies and access to healthcare in the HCT population during the COVID-19 pandemic.Data SourcesAdult patients who received a transplant or were awaiting transplant and had a scheduled appointment at the transplant clinic were eligible to participate in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed an online survey that included questionnaires, clinical data and demographic information.ConclusionFifty-four participants completed the survey. HCT participants reported relatively high psychological distress during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, but indicated use of healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress.Implication for Nursing PracticeStudy data informs healthcare providers that psychological distress and mental health warrants increased attention during periods of heightened stress. Education and resources on healthy, beneficial coping strategies should be provided to support HCT patients. Nurses and advanced nurse practitioners are well poised to interact with HCT patients and provide necessary support or appropriate referral during routine clinical interactions, preparing patients for prolonged effects of the pandemic and similar future events.     

Psychological well-being and coping strategies of healthcare students during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the psychological well-being, and stress coping strategies, as well as their relationships, among healthcare students during prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn online questionnaire was used to assess psychological well-being (the Ryff Scale) and coping strategies (the brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory [COPE] Scale). COPE scores were categorized to identify the primary coping strategies: “approach” indicates more active coping strategies; “avoidant” indicates more dysfunctional and maladaptive mechanisms.ResultsA total of 202 valid questionnaire were collected. Those with lower academic confidence and lower self-rated peer and family relationship scores during the COVID-19 pandemic had lower Ryff scores, indicating poorer psychological well-being. Nursing students reported the lowest psychological well-being and the highest levels of adopting avoidant coping strategies (26.4%).ConclusionThe study's findings may help educators identify the healthcare students most vulnerable to stress and develop interventions to empower students to adopt problem-focused stress coping strategies.     

Challenges and factors likely to promote coping as anticipated by nurses preparing for a merger of intensive and intermediate care units

ObjectiveTo describe challenges and factors that support coping as anticipated by nursing staff preparing for a merger of intensive and intermediate care units.Research methodologyThe method of empathy-based stories was employed to collect data from staff. The stories (n = 20) were analysed using inductive content analysis.SettingNursing staff from the cardiac observation and evaluation, intensive care and surgical observation units in a central hospital in Finland.FindingsParticipants anticipated challenges related to personal factors that affect coping at work, challenges in co-operation among nursing staff and problems associated with the new work context. Participants expected to need informational, concrete and social support from colleagues in future clinical nursing situations.ConclusionFostering peer support and team spirit is important to ensure staff co-operation and smooth care processes following restructuring.     

“Finding My Own Way”: The lived experience of undergraduate nursing students learning psychomotor skills during COVID-19

BackgroundLittle is known about how nursing students learned psychomotor skills during the COVID-19 pandemic.AimsWhat is the lived experience of undergraduate nursing students learning psychomotor skills during the COVID-19 pandemic?MethodsUsing a phenomenological approach, eight undergraduate nursing students were interviewed about their experiences learning psychomotor skills during the pandemic.ResultsThematic analysis revealed three main themes. “Finding My Own Way” described adapting learning styles and advocacy for learning. Sub-themes included perseverance and comradery. “Learning the Skills” described modifications to skills learning. Sub-themes included grace by professors, smaller group sizes, less practice, and “my brain is split in half,” describing the challenges of giving dual attention to COVID-19 and skills learning. “Stress of the Pandemic” described the stress of quarantine, isolation and online learning.DiscussionFindings of this study may help nurse educators understand the challenges of learning skills during the pandemic. Implications are discussed.     

The experience of frontline nurses four months after COVID-19 rescue task in China: A qualitative study

AimsThe study was to explore the experience of frontline nurses four months after COVID-19 rescue task.BackgroundFrontline medical staff are prone to follow-up mental health problems and different feeling after COVID-19 rescue task. However, the experience of frontline nurses after COVID-19 rescue task has not been well described.MethodsThe study used a qualitative study design with semi-structured interview guide. Individual semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 15 frontline nurses who were involved COVID-19 rescue task from two tertiary-A hospitals in Hefei, China from July 10, to August 28, 2020. We followed the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist.ResultsFour main themes emerged from the interviews: recurring involuntary memories about the experience, feeling guilty and depressed, cultivation of occupational ability, increased professional pride and happiness.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that frontline nurses had both positive and negative experiences four months after COVID-19 rescue task. It is necessary to long-term follow up and attention to the experience of the frontline nurses after COVID-19 rescue task. These insights provide a specific direction for the psychological reconstruction of frontline nurses and the construction of nursing team.Relevance to clinical practiceNursing managers should formulate psychological reconstruction plan according to the experience of frontline nurses after COVID-19 rescue task, so as to relieve the psychological stress and promote the mental health of nurses. At the same time, we should strengthen the disaster rescue ability training of nurses should be strengthened to better respond to future rescue task.     

A qualitative exploration of the experiences of school nurses during COVID-19 pandemic as the frontline primary health care professionals

BackgroundIt is widely acknowledged that the experiences of frontline primary health care professionals during COVID-19 are important to understand how they respond and act under situations of pandemic as the gatekeepers in primary health care system. School nurses are primary health care professionals who lead health care in schools and practice in a holistic manner to address the needs of schoolchildren and school personnel. There are rising mental health concerns of frontline health care professionals with anxiety and panic disorders, somatic symptoms, and feeling isolated. No studies use a qualitative study approach to document community frontline school nursing professionals’ experiences and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, understanding the school nurses’ experiences and challenges to fight against COVID-19 in the communities is important.PurposeThis study aims to explore the experiences of school nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong.MethodsA qualitative study design adopted the principles of thematic analysis. Nineteen school nurses were recruited to participate in individual semistructured interviews and shared their roles and responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsThree themes indicated the school nurses’ expand professional responsibilities to fight against COVID-19 emerged from the data analysis. These were “Managing Stress,” “Navigating the School Through the Pandemic,” and “Raising the Profile of the School Nurse Professional,”DiscussionFindings reveal the important role of school nursing professionals in minimizing the community-wide risk posed by pandemics and the need to integrate them into planning and implementation of school health policies and guidelines in the primary health care system. This essential role in schools is necessary to assess, implement, monitor, prevent, and reduce the spread of virus in school communities and to minimize the burden to and extra health care resources utilized in the acute care setting during COVID-19 pandemic.     

Nursing students on the frontline: Impact and personal and professional gains of joining the health care workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain

BackgroundFinal-year nursing students in Spain augmented the health care workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.PurposeTo understand the lived experience of nursing students who joined the health care workforce during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak (March–May 2020).MethodQualitative content analysis of the reflective journals of 40 nursing students in Spain.FindingsThe analysis identified four main themes: 1) Willingness to help; 2) Safety and protective measures: Impact and challenges; 3) Overwhelming experience: Becoming aware of the magnitude of the epidemic; and 4) Learning and growth.DiscussionThe wish to help, the sense of moral duty, and the opportunity to learn buffered the impact of the students' lived experience. Despite the challenges they faced, they saw their experiences as a source of personal and professional growth, and they felt reaffirmed in their choice of career. Promoting opportunities for reflection and implementing adequate support and training strategies is crucial for building a nursing workforce that is capable of responding to future health crises.     

新型冠状病毒肺炎定点医院医务人员心理健康与社会支持、应对方式相关性分析

目的:了解新型冠状病毒肺炎定点医院医务人员应对突发公共卫生事件的心理健康、社会支持和应对方式现状,探讨心理健康与社会支持、应对方式的相关性。方法:采用一般情况调查表、突发性公共卫生事件心理问卷、社会支持评定量表和简易应对方式量表对四川省某市新型冠状病毒肺炎定点医院的1326名医务人员进行调查。采用描述性分析、单因素分析、Spearman相关性分析等分析相关资料。结果:共回收有效问卷1267份,回收率95.55%。定点医院医务人员突发公共卫生事件心理评估总分为0.407(0.481)分、社会支持总分为41.00(13.00)分、应对方式总分为26.00(14.00)分,医生、护士、医技人员组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),心理评估总分与社会支持量表总分、客观支持、主观支持、社会支持利用度均负相关(P<0.05),与应对方式总分、消极应对均正相关(P<0.05)。结论:定点医院医务人员心理健康与社会支持、应对方式密切相关,在应对突发公共卫生事件时,医务人员容易出现恐惧、神经衰弱、抑郁等心理问题,需引起重视。社会支持对定点医院医务人员心理应激起保护作用,但部分医务人员应对方式消极,需要有效干预。     

Residencias de ancianos en Portugal durante la COVID-19: desafíos para el futuro

ObjectiveThis study sought to explore the perceptions of experts about the performance of nursing homes during the COVID-19 outbreak.MethodA qualitative study was developed in two stages: (1) a focus group, conducted in May 2020, with 5 experts; (2) a modified e-Delphi, implemented in September 2020 with 22 experts, both in the area of assistance in nursing homes from Northern and Center of Portugal.ResultsThe results allowed identifying three main areas that influenced the performance of nursing homes during the COVID-19 outbreak: organization models and resources; physical and mental health of residents and; family as a support.ConclusionsOlder adults residing in nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to severe disease or death from COVID-19. It is emergent that nursing homes prevent physical and mental frailty in older residents and the loneliness aggravated by the pandemic circumstances. Decision-makers need to recognize that older people living in nursing homes have several health needs, which should determine the implementation of new strategies namely the increase in the number of professionals with appropriate skills.