ABSTRACT
The current comparative study sought to identify psychosocial stressors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-dedicated (n = 110) and non-COVID-19-dedicated (n = 118) nurses (herein referred to as COVID nurses and non-COVID nurses, respectively). Data were collected online from October 20, 2020, to April 1, 2021. Significant predictors of mental health for COVID nurses were purpose/meaning (ß = -0.32, p < 0.001), perceived stigma (ß = 0.25, p = 0.001), perceived work environment improvement (ß = -0.22, p = 0.004), and absolute work intensity (ß = 0.26, p = 0.004). For non-COVID nurses, predictors were purpose/meaning (ß = -0.34, p < 0.001) and absolute work intensity (ß = 0.26, p = 0.003). It is necessary to develop programs and policies that support the mental health of nursing staff. Administrative efforts should be made to create a work environment that allows nurses to focus on their work during health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing staff should be supported so that appropriate working hours are maintained and breaks are guaranteed. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to understand and describe the experiences of nurses who cared for patients with COVID-19. A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to collect data from individual in-depth interviews with 14 nurses, from 20 October 2020 to 15 January 2021. Data were analyzed using the phenomenological method of Colaizzi. Five theme clusters emerged from the analysis: (1) nurses struggling under the weight of dealing with infectious disease, (2) challenges added to difficult caring, (3) double suffering from patient care, (4) support for caring, and (5) expectations for post-COVID-19 life. The findings of this study are useful primary data for developing appropriate measures for health professionals' wellbeing during outbreaks of infectious diseases. Specifically, as nurses in this study struggled with mental as well as physical difficulties, it is suggested that future studies develop and apply mental health recovery programs for them. To be prepared for future infectious diseases and contribute to patient care, policymakers should improve the work environment, through various means, such as nurses' practice environment management and incentives.