Jennifer Lapum1, Megan Nguyen2, Suzanne Fredericks1, Sannie Lai3, Julie McShane3. 1. Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada. 2. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 3. Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The severity of the COVID-19 health crisis has placed acute care nurses in dire work environments in which they have had to deal with uncertainty, loss, and death on a constant basis. It is necessary to gain a better understanding of nurses' experiences to develop interventions supportive of their emotional well-being. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore how nurses are emotionally affected working in COVID-19 acute care hospital environments. The research question is: What is the emotional experience of nurses working in COVID-19 acute care hospital environments? METHODS: We employed a narrative methodology that focused on participants' stories. Twenty registered nurses, who worked in six hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada, participated in interviews. A narrative analysis was conducted with a focus on content and form of stories. RESULTS: We identified three themes about working in COVID-19 acute care hospital environments: the emotional experience, the agency of emotions, and how emotions shape nursing and practice. CONCLUSION: In moving forth with pandemic preparations, healthcare leaders and governments need to make sure that a nurse's sacrifice is not all-encompassing. Supporting nurses' emotional well-being and resilience is necessary to counterbalance the loss and trauma nurses go through.
BACKGROUND: The severity of the COVID-19 health crisis has placed acute care nurses in dire work environments in which they have had to deal with uncertainty, loss, and death on a constant basis. It is necessary to gain a better understanding of nurses' experiences to develop interventions supportive of their emotional well-being. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore how nurses are emotionally affected working in COVID-19 acute care hospital environments. The research question is: What is the emotional experience of nurses working in COVID-19 acute care hospital environments? METHODS: We employed a narrative methodology that focused on participants' stories. Twenty registered nurses, who worked in six hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada, participated in interviews. A narrative analysis was conducted with a focus on content and form of stories. RESULTS: We identified three themes about working in COVID-19 acute care hospital environments: the emotional experience, the agency of emotions, and how emotions shape nursing and practice. CONCLUSION: In moving forth with pandemic preparations, healthcare leaders and governments need to make sure that a nurse's sacrifice is not all-encompassing. Supporting nurses' emotional well-being and resilience is necessary to counterbalance the loss and trauma nurses go through.
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