ABSTRACT
Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has again highlighted the crucial role of the frontline healthcare workers, including practitioners in critical care settings, in case management, disease surveillance, policy development, and clinical education and training. This study aims to explore Australian critical care nurses' knowledge, preparedness and experiences of managing SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Method(s): A cross-sectional study of Australian critical care nurses was conducted between June and September 2020. An anonymous online survey was sent out to the members of the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) to collect data about their knowledge, preparedness and experiences during COVID-19 outbreak. Data were summarised and reported using descriptive statistics. Textual data were analysed using conventional content analysis technique. Result(s): A total of 138 critical care nurses participated in this study. Most respondents reported 'good' to 'very good' level of knowledge about COVID-19, and used a variety of sources to obtain up-to-date information about COVID-19. A majority (82.3%) believed they were 'moderately' or 'extremely' prepared for managing COVID-19 by the time they answered the survey, and 93.4% had received specific education, training or instruction about COVID-19. Most participants were involved in assessing (89.3%) and treating (92.4%) COVID-19 cases. Varying levels of concerns about contracting SARS-CoV-2 were expressed by respondents. The most significant challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak were lack of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and fear of their shortage. Conclusion(s): These findings can be used in planning for successful outbreak management during the current COVID-19 pandemic and in future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.Copyright © 2021