Risk of exposure to Covid-19 in nursing assistants, nurses, and physicians in a university hospital in the face of pandemic.

Objective: Healthcare professionals were the workers most affected by Covid-19, espe-cially during the first waves of the pandemic. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the perceived risk of exposure to Covid-19, the information received and the work participation between nurses, physicians and nursing assistants. Method(s): A cross-sectional study was conducted using an epidemiological survey among nurses, physicians and nursing assistants in a university hospital. Aspect and content validation, cognitive pretest, and piloting of the epidemiological survey was carried out with thirty subjects. A descriptive analysis was per-formed using mean and standard deviation (SD) for quantitative variables and absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies for qualitative variables. The chi-square test and the ANOVA test were applied to assess the association of the responses with the variables: sex, type of worker, area of work and activity in Covid-19 Units. Result(s): Nurses, physicians and nursing assistants worked mainly in assistance areas and high risk of exposure units. Nursing assistants and nurses had a higher perception of risk. Nurses were less involved in the organiza-tion, but felt more supported by their colleagues. However, physicians felt more supported by their superiors and better care when they had a health problem. Conclusion(s): Nursing assistants and nurses presented higher risk perception, nurses were less involved in the organization of health care, while physicians felt more supported by their superiors.Copyright © 2023, Fundacion Index. All rights reserved.

Experiences and needs of certified nursing assistants regarding coaching by bachelor-educated registered nurses in nursing homes: A qualitative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to gain insight into the experiences and needs of certified nursing assistants regarding their coaching by bachelor-educated registered nurses in nursing homes. BACKGROUND: Certified nursing assistants are key in providing day-to-day nursing home care. They are, however, not trained to meet the increasingly complex needs of nursing home residents. For certified nursing assistants to respond to high-complexity care, coaching by bachelor-educated registered nurses may be appropriate. Yet, knowledge of how bachelor-educated registered nurses can provide valid coaching is lacking. DESIGN: An explorative qualitative design was adopted. METHODS: Certified nursing assistants (n = 13) were purposively selected from 10 Dutch nursing homes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2020 and 2021, and thematic analysis was applied. RESULTS: Two main themes emerged: connecting with certified nursing assistants, and the coaching activities themselves. Certified nursing assistants deemed several aspects important for bachelor-educated registered nurses to connect with them: respecting the autonomy of certified nursing assistants, being visible and reachable, adapting communication, clarifying own job description, and participating in care. Certified nursing assistants perceived coaching by bachelor-educated registered nurses as valuable when they fulfil their needs through activities such as empowering, teaching, and mediating between management and certified nursing assistants. CONCLUSIONS: Valid coaching of certified nursing assistants appears possible and requires specific competencies of bachelor-educated registered nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Coaching certified nursing assistants is one way of addressing complex care needs in nursing homes, and coaching can contribute to both professional and team development. As coaching requires specific competencies of bachelor-educated registered nurses, nursing education profiles should be enriched with this most important role. Management can facilitate coaching by providing bachelor-educated registered nurses with a clear job description. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Experts on coaching in nursing home settings informed the topic list. Furthermore, member check was performed.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress and sleep in emergency room professionals.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze stress levels, sleep quality, sleepiness and chronotypes on emergency room (ER) professionals before and during the COVID-19. BACKGROUND: ER healthcare professionals are exposed to high stress levels, and they often present with poor sleep quality. DESIGN: Observational study conducted into two different phases (before the COVID-19 and during the first wave of the COVID-19). METHOD: Physicians, nurses and nursing assistants working in the ER were included. Stress, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and chronotypes were assessed by the Stress Factors and Manifestations Scale (SFMS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Horne and Österberg Morningness-Eveningness questionnaire, respectively. The first phase of the study was performed between December 2019 and February 2020, and the second between April and June 2020. The STROBE checklist was used to report the present study. RESULTS: In total, 189 ER professionals in the pre-COVID-19 phase and 171 (of the initial 189) during COVID-19 were included. The proportion of workers with a morning circadian rhythm increased during the COVID-19, and stress levels were significantly higher during COVID-19 compared to the previous phase (38.34 ± 10.74 vs. 49.97 ± 15.81). ER professionals with poor sleep quality presented higher stress in the pre-COVID-19 phase (40.60 ± 10.71 vs. 32.22 ± 8.19) and during COVID-19 (55.27 ± 15.75 vs. 39.66 ± 9.75). Similarly, workers with excessive sleepiness had higher stress in the pre-COVID-19 phase (42.06 ± 10.95 vs. 36.64 ± 10.24) and during COVID-19 (54.67 ± 18.10 vs. 48.44 ± 14.75). Positive associations were also found between the SFMS and the PSQI, as well as with the ESS in both phases of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency room professionals had increased stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stress was particularly higher in those with poor sleep quality or with excessive daytime sleepiness. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: These results should aim to impulse the implementation of measures to improve the working conditions of ER professionals.

Relationship between working conditions and health-related quality of life of nursing and medical staff in Intensive Care Units during the COVID 19 pandemic in Santa Marta, Colombia

Objective: To determine the relationship between working conditions and dimensions of health-related quality of life during the COVID 19 pandemic among nursing and medical staff in intensive care units in Santa Marta, Colombia. Method: Cross-sectional analytical study. The sample consisted of 110 health professionals (physician and nurses) selected by non-probability sampling. The MOS-36 questionnaire was used. Results: The respondents were mostly female (69.09%), with children (64.54%), living with their nuclear family (90.00%), nursing assistant (59.09%), followed by nurses (23.63%) and physicians (17.27%), with postgraduate degrees (13.63%), with chronic illness (14.54%) and with multiple jobs (93.63%). The dimensions of quality of life with the best perception were physical functioning (M: 85.69, SD: 19.04) and role emotional (M: 81.79, SD: 33.92), while a lower mean was found in the vitality dimension (M: 59.95, SD: 17.51). The variables age, sex (male), having children, suffering from a chronic disease, profession (physician), hiring format, multi-employment, seniority at work and service seem to negatively influence workers' mental and physical health. Conclusions: The mental component was the most affected. The health-related quality of life in the study group is generally evaluated as good;and this showed to be related to working conditions, meriting the design and implementation of strategies to minimize the impact of work on the health and integrity of health care professionals © COPYRIGHT Servicio de Publicaciones - Universidad de Murcia

How much are we worth? Experiences of nursing assistants in Swedish nursing homes during the first wave of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: NHs have been severely exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is known about how staff who provide practical daily care of older residents experienced work during the pandemic. The aim of this study was to understand how nursing assistants (NAs) experienced their work at nursing homes (NHs) for older people during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study of focus group discussions with in total 20 participants from four NHs in Stockholm, Sweden. Discussions were held in November 2020. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: We identified three major themes: 1) We felt abandoned, scared and disrespected, 2) We made sure we made it through, and 3) We can do good work with appropriate resources. NAs felt disregarded as they were often left alone without adequate support from managers, registered nurses and the municipalities. NAs felt distressed and guilty and developed their own strategies to cope and manage their work. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic NAs felt abandoned and burdened due to lack of leadership. Organizational improvements are required to protect the wellbeing of NAs and to ensure sustainability of patient safety. NAs are crucial in the care for vulnerable older people and their experiences should constitute a keystone for development of future policy and practice in NHs.

Organizational Factors Associated with Certified Nursing Assistants' Job Satisfaction during COVID-19.

Given the instability of the nursing home (NH) certified nursing assistant (CNA) workforce and the challenging demands during COVID-19, it is important to understand the organizational factors that are correlated with job satisfaction which is a major predictor of CNA turnover. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations between quality of supervisor relationships, organizational supports, COVID-19 work-related stressors, and job satisfaction among CNAs in NHs. The results indicate that CNAs who reported a more optimal relationship with their supervisors, felt appreciated for the job they do and worked in NHs with lower COVID-19 resident infection rates tended to report higher rates of job satisfaction. The COVID-19 work-related stressors of increased workload demands and understaffing were associated with lower rates of job satisfaction. The study has practical implications for employers regarding how to support CNAs to improve job satisfaction especially during a crisis.

Factors associated with nursing home direct care professionals' turnover intent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors related to turnover intent among direct care professionals in nursing homes during the pandemic. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with surveys administered via an employee management system to 809 direct care professionals (aides working in nursing homes). Single items assessed COVID-19-related work stress, preparedness to care for residents during COVID-19, job satisfaction, and intent to remain in job. A two-item scale assessed quality of organizational communication. RESULTS: Path analysis demonstrated that only higher job satisfaction was associated with a higher likelihood of intent to remain in job. Higher quality of employer communication and greater preparedness were also associated with higher job satisfaction, but not with intent to remain. Higher quality communication and greater preparedness mediated the negative impact of COVID-19-related work stress on job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Provision of high-quality communication and training are essential for increasing job satisfaction and thus lessening turnover intent in nursing homes.

Development of the nursing associate role in community and primary care settings across England

Why you should read this article: • To understand some of the benefits that the nursing associate role can bring to community and primary care nursing teams • To be aware of the challenges involved in training and embedding nursing associates in community and primary care settings • To recognise the need for clarity on the boundaries and expectations of the nursing associate role in community and primary care settings Nursing associates have been part of the health and social care workforce in England since 2017 and are starting to contribute to managing workforce challenges. However, little is known about the nursing associate role in community and primary care settings. This article provides an overview of what is known about the nursing associate role in community and primary care settings and introduces some emerging findings from recent research. The article identifies some of the benefits that nursing associates can bring to community and primary care nursing teams and some of the challenges involved in training and embedding nursing associates in these sectors of the health and social care workforce.

Respect may be a more persuasive tool: Compulsory vaccination is no way to treat staff who have shouldered a huge burden during the pandemic

The government’s regulations on mandatory vaccination in care homes will take effect in all care homes in England on 11 November.

The Upshot of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Nursing Assistants: Evaluating Mental Health Indicators in Huelva.

Healthcare professionals who work in front-line situations are among those under the highest risk of presenting negative mental health indicators. We sought to assess the prevalence of low personal realization, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization as well as probable non-psychotic psychiatric pathologies during the pandemic in nursing assistants in the city of Huelva (Spain), and to study the association between these mental health indicators and sociodemographic and professional variables. A cross-sectional descriptive investigation with a quantitative approach was used. A representative sample of these professionals, consisting of 29 men and 284 women, completed the GHQ-12 questionnaire, including sociodemographic data and the MBI-HSS questionnaire, collecting information on situations of contact with SARS-CoV-2. Data analysis was conducted, and correlations were established. We found that emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and probable non-psychotic, psychiatric pathologies were related to contact with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, personal realization, depersonalization and emotional exhaustion were related to just gender. We conclude that nursing assistants from public hospitals in the city of Huelva who had contact with patients with SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace, showed poor mental health indicators than those who did not come into contact with infected individuals.

Caregiver burnout, compassion satisfaction, and personality: The moderating role of work engagement and job satisfaction

Formal and informal caregivers experience both negative and positive aspects of caregiving, such as burnout and compassion satisfaction. However, the existing literature primarily focuses on the experiences of family caregivers and nurses, but neglects nursing assistants. This study examined the relationships among personality, burnout, compassion satisfaction, work engagement, and job satisfaction in a sample of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) employed in healthcare settings. Additionally, this study compared CNA data collected prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed self-report surveys measuring burnout, compassion satisfaction, personality factors, work engagement, job satisfaction, intent to quit, and demographics. Results indicated significant positive relationships between compassion satisfaction and agreeableness and extraversion, as well as between burnout and neuroticism. Significant negative relationships were found between burnout and agreeableness and extraversion, as well as between compassion satisfaction and neuroticism. Work engagement and job satisfaction were not found to moderate these relationships. CNAs who participated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic reported lower burnout and higher compassion satisfaction compared to CNAs who participated during the pandemic. However, there were no differences in job satisfaction or intent to quit. The current study provided novel information about CNA personality, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and levels of job satisfaction and work engagement. The findings may be useful in developing interventions for CNAs to bolster compassion satisfaction and decrease burnout to potentially reduce turnover rates. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Worldwide prevalence of inadequate work ability among hospital nursing personnel: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To estimate the worldwide pooled prevalence of inadequate work ability among hospital nursing personnel using the Work Ability Index (WAI). DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scielo, PsychInfo, CINAHL, Nursing and Allied Health, LILACS, and Google Scholar from inception to July 2021 to identify observational studies on work ability among hospital nursing personnel using the WAI. Two researchers independently completed the study selection, quality assessments, and data extraction on the prevalence of inadequate work ability that was pooled using the random effects model. Finally, subgroup analyses were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity. FINDINGS: A total of 42 studies were included, consisting of 24,728 subjects worldwide from 14 countries. Of these, 35 studies were included in the meta-analytical analyses. The worldwide pooled prevalence of inadequate work ability among hospital nursing personnel was 24.7% (95% CI = 20.2%-29.4%). High levels of heterogeneity were detected in all studies. Prevalence was higher in studies where samples were composed of nurses and nursing assistive personnel (26.8%; 95% CI = 22.4%-31.5%) than in those of nurses alone (22.2%; 95% CI = 13.1%-32.9%) and in studies where the sample was over 40 (28.1%; 95% CI = 19.5%-37.5%) than in those with a sample under that age (22.4%; 95% CI = 15.8%-29.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Almost one in four members of hospital nursing staff in the world has inadequate work ability and therefore are at risk of several negative outcomes during their working life. These prevalence data correspond to the pre-pandemic period, so new studies should also be especially useful in quantifying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work ability in the hospital nursing workforce. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The above findings justify the launch of initiatives that include annual assessment for the early identification of inadequate work ability, offering the possibility of anticipated corrective measures. Nursing workforce older than 40 years and those belonging to the professional category of nursing assistive personnel should be priority target groups for screening and intervention to improve work ability.

Characterizing the direct care health workforce in the United States, 2010-2019.

BACKGROUND: To describe the growth and characteristics of the direct care health workforce, encompassing home health aides, personal care aides, nursing assistants, and orderlies and psychiatric aides from 2010 to 2019 in the United States. METHODS: Using nationally representative data from the 2010 to 2019 American Community Survey, we described the growth in the direct care health workforce overall and by type of direct care health worker. In addition, we examined the distribution of direct care workers by geographic region of the country, age categories, citizenship, world area of birth, income, health insurance status, and other characteristics. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2019, the number of direct care health workers in the United States per 10,000 individuals decreased slightly from 135.81 in 2010 to 133.78 in 2019. Personal care aides made up 42.1% of the direct care health workforce in 2019, followed by nursing assistants (39.5%) and home health aides (16.3%). In 2019, the number of direct care health workers who were not U.S. citizens accounted for roughly 10% of all workers in each year. The relative percentage of direct care health workers that were not a citizen of the United States was highest among home health aides (16.3%). Among workers born outside of the United States, the majority were from Latin America, followed by Asia. CONCLUSION: From 2010 to 2019, there was little growth in the direct care health workforce despite growing demand for direct care health workers. In the midst of the current and projected shortage of direct care health workers-particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, longer-term solutions to improve retention of direct care health workers and increase the supply of direct care health workers may be needed.

Working experience of certified nursing assistants in the greater New York City area during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a survey Study.

This study aimed to examine the challenges and needs of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) working in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic in the greater New York City area. Between September and November of 2020, a telephone survey was administered to and completed by 208 CNAs in the study area about various aspects of their working experience during COVID-19. CNAs reported significant exposure to COVID-19 and experienced additional emotional and financial strain due to the pandemic. CNAs also expressed the influence of COVID-19 on their work schedules and intent to continue working as CNAs, and strong interest in financial support and further training. This study offers empirical insights into the experiences of CNAs working in nursing homes during the pandemic, which are of unique value to inform future efforts to support CNAs and other long-term care providers in general and during public health emergencies in New York and beyond.

Factors Influencing Nurse Assistants' Job Satisfaction in Nursing Homes in Canada and Spain: A Comparison of Two Cross-Sectional Observational Studies.

OBJECTIVES: To access associations between job satisfaction and supervisory support as moderated by stress. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, data collected from 591 nursing assistants in 42 nursing homes in Canada and Spain were analyzed with mixed-effects regression. RESULTS: In both countries, stress related to residents' behaviors was negatively associated with job satisfaction, and, in Canada, it moderated the positive association between supervisory support and job satisfaction. Stress related to family conflict issues moderated the positive association of supervisory support and job satisfaction differently in each location: in Canada, greater stress was associated with a weaker association between supervisory support and job satisfaction; in Spain, this was also observed but only when supervisory support was sufficiently weak. DISCUSSION: Stress was associated with lower job satisfaction and moderated the association of supervisory support and job satisfaction, reinforcing the importance of supervisors supporting nursing assistants, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.