Nurses' Mental Health and Well-Being: COVID-19 Impacts.

The editorial will introduce a special section on nurses' mental health and well-being that will showcase results from a groundbreaking pan-Canadian study of nurses' occupational stress. The article series highlights research efforts toward better supporting nurses' mental health. In this editorial, we discuss the importance of this research in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We review the current stressors faced by nurses and anticipate how nurses' mental health and well-being will be impacted by COVID-19.

Mapping the peer-reviewed literature on accommodating nurses' return to work after leaves of absence for mental health issues: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The complexity of nursing practice increases the risk of nurses suffering from mental health issues, such as substance use disorders, anxiety, burnout, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These mental health issues can potentially lead to nurses taking leaves of absence and may require accommodations for their return to work. The purpose of this review was to map key themes in the peer-reviewed literature about accommodations for nurses' return to work following leaves of absence for mental health issues. METHODS: A six-step methodological framework for scoping reviews was used to summarize the amount, types, sources, and distribution of the literature. The academic literature was searched through nine electronic databases. Electronic charts were used to extract code and collate the data. Findings were derived inductively and summarized thematically and numerically. RESULTS: Academic literature is scarce regarding interventions for nurses' return to work following leaves of absence for mental health issues, and most focused on substance use concerns. Search of the peer-reviewed literature yielded only six records. The records were primarily quantitative studies (n = 4, 68%), published between 1997 and 2018, and originated in the United States (n = 6, 100%). The qualitative thematic findings addressed three major themes: alternative to discipline programs (ADPs), peer support, and return to work policies, procedures, and practices. CONCLUSIONS: While the literature supports alternative to discipline programs as a primary accommodation supporting return to work of nurses, more on the effectiveness of such programs is required. Empirical evidence is necessary to develop, maintain, and refine much needed return to work accommodations for nurses after leaves of absence for mental health issues.

The Intergenerational Impact of Management Relations on Nurse Career Satisfaction and Patient Care.

OBJECTIVE: This article provides insights into the role of management relations on nurses' career satisfaction across different career stages. BACKGROUND: Managers and positive relations with staff are critical to improving job satisfaction, career development, and retention for new graduates to mid- to late-career nurses. METHODS: Using a descriptive qualitative approach, we conducted a thematic analysis of 18 focus groups held in 8 Canadian provinces with 185 student, early-career, and mid- to late-career nurse participants. RESULTS: Student participants expressed the need for a supportive environment to enable successful transition to practice. Early-career nurses expected effective leadership at the unit level, effective communication, and positive working relationships to enable best care outcomes. Mid- to late-career nurses were most dissatisfied with management interactions and relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Management relations are important across all career stages, affecting patient care and job satisfaction. Findings provide insight into how nurse-manager relations can be enhanced from new graduate support to guidance in career development and ongoing recognition and respect for nurses throughout their careers.