Safety of Healthcare Workers in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Nurses' Understanding

ABSTRACT

In addition to negative impacts on the physical and mental health of nursing/health professionals, headaches were identified as one of the main symptoms associated with using personal protective equipment (PPE). [...]the COVID-19 pandemic unveiled the need to think about/rethink the work of nursing and healthcare professionals at the forefront of disease prevention programs and fighting against the most severe cases, as mentioned. In this scenario, the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization made recommendations to provide national and local governments, employers, and workers with practical guidance on preventing COVID-19 outbreaks at work, aiming to minimize worker exposure and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (7). [...]this study aims to understand the meaning of worker safety in healthcare during a pandemic from the perspective of nurses, based on interventions related to continuing education in health. For Edgar Morin (8), author of Complex Thought, uncertainty, unpredictability, and contradictions are part of the human condition;thus, the author suggests solidarity and ethics as possiblepaths for reconnecting beings and professional knowledge. [...]this study presents reflections to expand perspectives and enable new ways of thinking and acting for the nursing team.