A qualitative study of the experiences of nurses working in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for future practice.

Abstract

General practice experienced significant challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been little exploration of the experiences of nurses working in general practice and the impact on care delivery, job satisfaction, workload, stress and professional support. Understanding these experiences can inform future practice. To explore how nurses working in general practices in England experienced delivering care during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate the impact of working practices on professional wellbeing. Qualitative design incorporating three case study sites in the north of England plus semi-structured interviews with nurses working in general practice across England and national nurse leaders (participants n = 40). The study was funded by the General Nursing Council Trust. Five interconnected themes were generated: 1) the challenge of change; 2) the space to nurse; 3) professional identity, value, and visibility; 4) layers of wellbeing, stress, and burnout; and 5) challenges and opportunities for retention. The pandemic exacerbated many challenges for nurses working in general practice. To address their needs post pandemic, key factors include: nurse involvement in key decision-making at senior levels; recognition of value of nurses working in general practice; equal access to opportunities to work differently; strategic attention to recruitment and retention; action from employers and professional associations to support nurses' wellbeing; and adaptation of HEI teaching to reflect new and hybrid ways of working. The pandemic has laid bare challenges faced by nurses in general practice. Nurses require specific support to maintain professional wellbeing and to aid retention.