Burdens Experienced by Nurses: Well-being and Coping Strategies during COVID-19
Acharya, Binu; Ronoh Cheruto, Monica (2021)
Acharya, Binu
Ronoh Cheruto, Monica
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021060113242
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021060113242
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this study was to understand the experiences and well-being of nurses working in COVID-19 settings. The primary objective was to explore the burdens experienced by the nurses working with COVID-19 patients. The secondary objective was to understand the coping strategies of nurses while working with COVID-19 patients. The outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019 was associated with a myriad of challenges to healthcare workers including nurses. They occupy the frontline in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and are at a risk of being exposed to various effects of COVID-19 that affect their well-being. This study analyses the burdens of COVID-19 on the well-being of nurses and discusses the suitable coping strategies and communication necessary in times of crisis.
This study used a qualitative approach in seeking answers to the research questions by exploring the experiences of nurses working in COVID-19 settings. The study was conducted at a psychogeriatric ward in a city hospital in the Helsinki region. Open-ended qualitative questionnaires were used for data collection. Thirteen nurses participated in the study. Thematic analysis was applied, and the themes were derived through inductive approach.
From the results of the analysis, five themes emerged. These included: a) emotional burdens, b) physical burdens, c) social burdens, d) coping strategies and e) communication during crisis. The results of this study indicated that many of the nurse participants were in dire need of assistance from their organization. During the COVID-19 crisis, it would have important to understand the nurses´ needs so that it would have been possible to offer meaningful organizational support to build their resilience and perseverance.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic brought many challenges to nurses that affected their health and well-being. The burdens caused by the pandemic were cited as critical components that increased the challenges faced by the organization. Occupational well-being and safety were overlooked in the COVID–19 crisis. On the other hand, nurses took a positive initiative to cope with the pandemic through the support of their colleagues and their organization. This study recommends the healthcare sector to develop strategies that address the holistic well-being of nurses and other health care workers during and after crisis.
This study used a qualitative approach in seeking answers to the research questions by exploring the experiences of nurses working in COVID-19 settings. The study was conducted at a psychogeriatric ward in a city hospital in the Helsinki region. Open-ended qualitative questionnaires were used for data collection. Thirteen nurses participated in the study. Thematic analysis was applied, and the themes were derived through inductive approach.
From the results of the analysis, five themes emerged. These included: a) emotional burdens, b) physical burdens, c) social burdens, d) coping strategies and e) communication during crisis. The results of this study indicated that many of the nurse participants were in dire need of assistance from their organization. During the COVID-19 crisis, it would have important to understand the nurses´ needs so that it would have been possible to offer meaningful organizational support to build their resilience and perseverance.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic brought many challenges to nurses that affected their health and well-being. The burdens caused by the pandemic were cited as critical components that increased the challenges faced by the organization. Occupational well-being and safety were overlooked in the COVID–19 crisis. On the other hand, nurses took a positive initiative to cope with the pandemic through the support of their colleagues and their organization. This study recommends the healthcare sector to develop strategies that address the holistic well-being of nurses and other health care workers during and after crisis.