ABSTRACT
Nephrology nurses face health and wellness challenges due to significant work-related stressors. This survey, conducted online between July 24 and August 17, 2020, assessed the psychological well-being of nephrology nurses in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 393). Respondents reported feeling burned out from work (62%), symptoms of anxiety (47% with Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7] scores ≥ 5), and major depressive episodes (16% with Patient Health Questionnaire-2 [PHQ-2] scores ≥ 3). Fifty-six percent (56%) of survey respondents reported caring for COVID-19 patients, and 62% were somewhat or very worried about COVID-19. Factors, including high workload, age, race, and the COVID-19 pandemic, may partially explain the high proportion of nephrology nurses who reported symptoms of burnout, anxiety, and depression. Copyright© by the American Nephrology Nurses Association.
ABSTRACT
As we reflect back to the time before the pandemic, we can take a breath and identify all of the amazing obstacles that were overcome through teamwork. This article reflects the challenges that New York University Langone Hospital- Long Island encountered trying to overcome the clinical challenges of treating patients with COVID-19 while integrating research into a chaotic and ever-changing environment. Early on, it became evident that acute kidney failure was a major complication of this virus, and nephrology nurses played an integral role in managing this outcome. Science was the shining light that gave hope through the research, which was conducted as a team effort throughout the organization.