A Survey of Stress and Impacts in Registered Nurses During the COVID -19 Pandemic

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To describe the stress in RNs during COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic among RNs, and to gather needs and feedback from RNs during COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample was 1,073 RNs who provided services to patients with COVID-19. Data were collected through QR Code with the COVID Stress Scales (CSS) and open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. RESULTS: The RNs had overall stress at moderate level (2.42 ± 0.63). Analysis of subscale revealed that Danger was the highest stress (2.92 ± 0.75), following by COVID Contamination (2.74 ± 0.75), Xenophobia (2.56 ± 0.90), Compulsive checking and Traumatic stress (2.34 ± 0.71), and SocialEconomic Consequence (2.12 ± 0.89). The four impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were: 1) Work-life imbalance due to increased workload 2) Fear of infection and transmission 3) Inadequate organization support including supply of personal protective equipment and quality vaccines, information support, and unfair compensation in some hospitals, and 4) Ecological changes in both positive and negative directions. CONCLUSION: Nurse leaders could provide adequate support for necessary equipment and information to the RNs so that they reduce danger-related stress. Compensation should be considered as appropriate for them.