A Timid Hello to Professional Nursing: Letters from Newly Graduating Nurses During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Background:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has taken a toll on the well-being and quality of life (QoL) of healthcare professionals, especially nurses. Insomnia, a common consequence of the pandemic, adds to the physical and mental strain on healthcare workers.Aim:This study aimed to assess the impact of workplace yoga intervention on insomnia severity and QoL among female nursing and healthcare professionals during the pandemic.Methods:A pre–post-interventional study was conducted among 173 nursing professionals working in a hospital setting. Baseline assessments collected age, body mass index (BMI), insomnia severity using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and QoL using the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). A 6-week workplace yoga intervention was conducted by trained professionals, followed by posttest assessments.Results:Among 173 participants, 57 had insomnia. Participants without significant insomnia had higher QoL scores (P < 0.001). Following the yoga intervention, both subthreshold and moderate clinical insomnia groups experienced reduced insomnia severity (P < 0.001). Quality-of-life scores in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains improved significantly (P < 0.05).Conclusion:Workplace yoga intervention appears to be a promising approach to alleviate insomnia and enhance QoL among female nursing and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing tailored workplace yoga programs can play a crucial role in promoting the well-being and resilience of healthcare workers, contributing to a positive work environment and improved patient care outcomes.

Looking beyond the coronavirus: lessons and principles.

Intensive care units (ICUs) had to rapidly adapt infection prevention and control (IPC) practices during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To determine ICU nurses' COVID-19 IPC-related knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceptions. A mixed-methods study was conducted at the Groote Schuur Hospital ICU, Cape Town, South Africa (20 April 2021 and 30 May 2021). Participants completed anonymous, self-administered, knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) questionnaires. Individual interviews were conducted regarding nurses' lived experiences and perceptions of COVID-19 IPC in critical care. In total, 116 ICU nurses participated (93.5% response rate) including 57 professional nurses (49%), 34 enrolled nurses (29%) and 25 enrolled nursing assistants (22%); young females (31-49 years) predominating (n = 99; 85.3%). Nurses' overall COVID-19 IPC knowledge scores were moderately good (78%); professional nurses had greater knowledge of COVID-19 transmission (p < 0.001). Intensive care unit nurses' attitude scores towards COVID-19 IPC were low (55%), influenced by limited IPC training, insufficient time to implement IPC and shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). Respondents' scores for self-reported COVID-19 IPC practices were moderate (65%); highest compliance rates were for hand hygiene after touching patient surroundings (68%). Only 47% ICU nurses underwent N95 respirator fit-testing despite working in a COVID-19 ICU. Regular COVID-19 IPC training is needed to equip ICU nurses with the knowledge and skills to prevent healthcare-associated COVID-19 transmission. Enhanced IPC training and consistent PPE availability may support more favourable attitudes and better IPC practices. Comprehensive IPC and occupational health support should be offered to ensure ICU nurses' wellbeing during pandemics. Enhanced IPC training and consistent PPE availability may support better attitudes and IPC practices.

Purpose: This study attempted to identify the influence of long-term care hospital nurses' nursing professionalism and knowledge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on nursing intentions for COVID-19 patients.Methods: Data were collected from nurses who had worked for at least 6 months at long-term care hospitals with more than 100 beds located in North Gyeongsang Province from July 15 to 31, 2021. In total, 207 questionnaires were analyzed using the t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression with SPSS for Windows version 25.0.Results: Among the sub-factors constituting nursing professionalism, self-concept of the profession (r=.22, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.001) and professionalism of nursing (r=.23, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.001) were correlated with nursing intention for COVID-19 patients, whereas there no correlation was found between knowledge of COVID-19 and nursing intention for COVID-19 patients. In addition, among the sub-factors of nursing professionalism, the only factor influencing nursing intention for COVID-19 patients was professionalism of nursing, which could explain approximately 6.0% of variance in nursing intention for COVID-19 patients (β=.58, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.049).Conclusion: It is important to strengthen professionalism of nursing among various aspects of nursing professionalism in order to improve long-term care hospital nurses’ nursing intention for COVID-19 patients.

The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has brought pressure and challenges to nurses worldwide. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of nurses in overcoming challenges when delivering care for patients with COVID‐19 in Indonesia. The study employed a phenomenological research design. The researchers purposely selected nine nurses who provided care for patients with COVID‐19 at an urban public hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, between September and December 2020. The researchers conducted face‐to‐face interviews with participants. The interview data transcriptions were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis. The experiences of nurses in providing care for patients with COVID‐19 can be summarized into three themes: (1) getting caught unprepared, (2) understanding and adapting to a new working situation, and (3) finding new meaning in the nursing profession. This study suggested that nurses overcame difficulties in caring for patients with COVID‐19 by using multidimensional and culturally informed coping strategies. Hospital managers and policymakers need to consider culturally relevant coping strategies (i.e., religious‐based coping strategies) when supporting healthcare providers during public health emergencies.

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted family caregivers of older dependents, leading to fatigue, anxiety, depression, and financial burdens, which in turn diminish their quality of life. This study investigated the integration of community participatory systems in older care to address potential COVID-19 recurrence and develop policy proposals for the integrated care of dependent older people.MethodsAn explanatory sequential design was used, with stratified random sampling across six provinces, resulting in a sample of 440 family caregiver dyads and 154 full-time community stakeholders (October 2021--May 2022). Five validated tools were employed, with a content validity of 0.91 and a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.69. The data analysis included descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.ResultsAmong the 440 primary caregiver households, 42.73% of the older people had moderate dependence, 30.00% had severe dependence, and 27.27% had complete dependence, with common health issues, including chronic illness and comorbidities. Most older adults lived with their children/grandchildren, had insufficient income, and were informed about COVID-19 prevention measures. Family caregivers, predominantly female (average age 54), had multiple underlying conditions and provided an average of 37 hours of care per week, primarily communicating via phones or apps. The 154 stakeholders included public health volunteers and professional nurses, with an average age of 55 years, and were predominantly female (74.55%). They adhered strictly to COVID-19 precautions during their caregiving duties. This study highlights the impact of trust and COVID-19 perceptions on older care, emphasizing the need for specific forms of care, community support, and resources. Perceptions of “trust”, “stay home”, “self-care”, and “distance” significantly influenced care for dependents. The findings will inform health and social workers’ planning, operation, and training, addressing the specific care needs of dependent older adults.ConclusionThis study recommends policy interventions such as budget allocations for essential equipment, better compensation for community work, and the fostering of expertise in elder care. Emphasis is placed on fostering collaborative community agreements.

BackgroundEducation was significantly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Online learning affects the quality of learning as well as the mental health status of students. Regular screening for COVID-19 may be crucial to provide practical classes during the pandemic. The present study aimed to analyze the usefulness of rapid antigen tests for on-campus COVID-19 screening in real-life conditions at a medical university in Poland.Material/MethodsThis screening study was carried out among students attending practical classes at the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland between November 15 and December 10, 2021, during which a series of rapid antigen tests (Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device, nasal) were performed by healthcare professionals (nurses). Out of 104 student groups selected for the study (n=1847 students), 423 individuals from 63 student groups were tested at least once (22.9% response rate). A total of 2295 samples were collected.ResultsAmong the participants, 3.4% (n=15) had positive test results. Out of 15 COVID-19 cases, 14 were vaccinated. At least 1 positive COVID-19 case was detected in 8 student groups. In 3 student groups, we observed ≥2 infections that occurred at intervals, which may suggest student-to-student SARS-CoV-2 transmission.ConclusionsThis study produced real-world data from a COVID-19 screening study and confirmed the usefulness of the rapid antigen test (Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device nasal) for on-campus COVID-19 screening prior to practical classes. Maintaining a high percentage of participants is crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of on-campus COVID-19 screening.

Conclusion:Although the pandemic has caused nurses to work under very difficult conditions, it has once again revealed how important the nursing profession is for society. Despite seeing the difficulties experienced in this process and being afraid of COVID-19, the students chose the nursing profession because they loved it and saw it as indispensable. Results:75.4% of the students stated that the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect their career choice, 46% reported that they planned to choose the nursing profession before the pandemic, and 52.1% of the students preferred the nursing profession because they liked it. As a result of multiple regression analysis, factors including fear of COVID-19, presence of chronic disease in family members, choosing the profession because they like it, choosing the profession because of its place and importance in society, choosing the profession because it is an ideal profession, choosing the profession under the influence of family/friends, and choosing nursing because it is seen as an indispensable profession during the pandemic were found to have a significant effect on the total scores of the vocational choices in entering nursing scale (p&lt;0.05). Method:This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between March-June 2021 with first-year nursing students studying. Student information form, the fear of COVID-19 scale, and vocational choices in entering the nursing scale were used to collect data. Objective:In this study, it was aimed to determine the factors that affect the nursing profession preference of the first-year nursing students during the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

PurposeIt is necessary to identify factors that influence nurses’ intention to care for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients to improve the quality of care during the pandemic. This study identifies factors that influence nurses’ intention to care for COVID-19 patients, focusing on positive psychological capital and nursing professionalism.MethodsThis study adopted a descriptive correlational design. Data were collected between August 16 and August 30, 2020, through self-administered questionnaires from 148 bedside nurses caring for COVID-19 patients, from four hospitals designated for COVID-19 treatment. Modified versions of the Nursing Intention Questionnaire for SARS Patient Care, Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and Hall’s Professional Inventory were used. The collected data were analyzed using stepwise multiple regression.ResultsIn total, 165 questionnaires were distributed, and 148 questionnaires (89.7%) were included in the final analysis. Factors influencing nurses’ intention to care were: age (30<: β = .18, p = .026; ≥50: β = .23, p = .005), department (ICU: β = -.26, p = .001), sufficient clinical experience and skills to care for COVID-19 patients (sufficient: β = .18, p = .019), and positive psychological capital (β = .22, p = .044). The model’s explanatory power (R2) was 48%.ConclusionsStrategies to increase nurses’ positive psychological capital are necessary to improve nursing care quality by increasing intention to care when facing novel infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Furthermore, adequate education and training on managing novel infectious diseases should be implemented to provide nurses with relevant experience and skills regarding caring for patients infected with these diseases. Through various studies, strategies for improving nurses’ positive psychological capital need to be suggested to improve the quality of care by increasing the nurses’ intention to care during the emergence of a novel infectious disease, such as COVID-19. Additionally, adequate education and training on managing the novel infectious diseases, sufficient for the nurses to believe they have the experience and skills for caring for the infected patients, will be needed.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization, stated that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic not only affected the socioeconomic well-being of millions but also had adverse effects on public health, particularly in the management of chronic diseases at the primary healthcare (PHC) level. What remained unknown was the experiences of professional nurses(PNs) working in PHC regarding this issue.AimThe study aimed to explore and describe the lived experiences of PHC nurses in managing chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.SettingThe study was conducted in the North West province, South Africa.MethodsA qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was employed to collect and analyse data. Face-to-face interviews were conducted and audio recorded with 16 PNs from five high-volume PHC facilities selected purposively.ResultsThe study’s findings reveal four themes: suboptimal care for patients with chronic disease, a lack of resources, mental health challenges experienced by PHC nurses, and stigma and discrimination from both family and community members.ConclusionThe neglect of PHC and its frontline healthcare staff has impeded the mental health of PHC workers and the management of chronic diseases thus any progress made in reducing the burden of chronic diseases is likely to have regressed during the COVID-19 pandemic.ContributionPolicymakers should prioritise strengthening PHC by implementing integrated disease management policies, ensuring ethical clinical standards, providing supportive supervision, fair resource allocation and capacity building for PHC staff. In addition, addressing stigma and discrimination, and raising awareness among families and communities is crucial for future pandemics to effectively manage both chronic and infectious diseases.

BackgroundAlthough mental health disorders of health care workers in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have been focused, little is known about the psychological impact on nurses and the influence on their behavior and awareness, such as professionalism and views on life and death, in Japan where there are fewer cases of infection and deaths than in other countries. Moreover, the influence of the pandemic on nursing students is still unclear.MethodsAn online questionnaire survey was conducted among nurses and nursing students. Feelings during the state of emergency (at the peak of the pandemic) in Japan, changes in behavior and awareness after the rise of COVID-19, and the associated factors influencing these changes were analyzed, comparing nurses with nursing students.ResultsSignificantly increased scores of anxiety/fear (p < .005) and voluntary restraint (p < .005) and significantly decreased score of motivation (p < .005) were observed during the state of emergency in both nurses and students. Scores of experience of discrimination (p < .005) and consideration of premature retirement (p < .01) were significantly increased in nurses. Moreover, preventive behavior (p < .005), lifestyle (p < .005), anxiety about nursing (p < .005) and views on life and death (p < .005) significantly changed after the rise of COVID-19 in both nurses and students. Only nurses reported significant damage to their professionalism (p < .01). Anxiety/fear and/or voluntary restraint and/or decreased motivation during the state of emergency were major factors associated with these changes. Also, the type of hospital, experience of care of infected patients and sex affected some of the changes. Voluntary restraint (p = .008), increased preventive behavior (p = .021) and decreased motivation (p = .005) were more marked in nurses than in students, while change in views on life and death was greater in students than in nurses (p = .002).ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a psychological impact on nurses and nursing students, associated with changes in behavior and awareness even in Japan. Of note, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected nurses’ professionalism and views on life and death. This study demonstrates the importance of having a coping strategy for anxiety and damaged professionalism in nurses, and education on life and death in nursing students.

Nurses and paramedics by being the frontline workers of the health-care profession need to be equipped with the relevant knowledge, skills, and protective gears against different forms of infection, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although the governments and concerned stakeholders have provided personal protective equipment (PPE), training and information to protect the health-care professionals; however, until now the scientific literature has virtually not reported the impact of PPE availability, training, and practices on the COVID-19 sero-prevalence among the nurses and paramedics. This study aimed to assess the impact of PPE availability, training, and practices on COVID-19 sero-prevalence among nurses and paramedics in teaching hospitals of Peshawar, Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a total of 133 nurses and paramedics as subjects of the study. A univariate analysis was done for 4 variables. The findings indicate that the health-care professionals (nurses and paramedics) who have received PPE on time at the start of COVID-19 emergence have fewer chances of contracting the COVID-19 infection (odds ratio = 0.96); while the odds for PPE supplies was 0.73, and the odds of hand hygiene training was 0.95. The study concluded that the availability of the PPE, COVID-19-related training, and compliance with World Health Organization recommended practices against COVID-19 were instrumental in protection against the infection and its spread.

BackgroundMental health manifestations such as depression and anxiety disorders became more marked during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as frontline healthcare workers struggled to maintain high-quality intrapartum care and essential health services.AimThis study aimed to identify maternity healthcare providers’ self-perceptions of changes in their feelings of mental well-being.SettingTen midwife obstetric units and the labour wards of four district hospitals in Tshwane Health District, South Africa.MethodsWe conducted an anonymous, cross-sectional survey amongst a convenience sample of 114 maternity healthcare workers to gauge the changes in healthcare workers’ experience and perceptions of well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four items measured the perceived changes on a scale of 0–10 for the periods before and during COVID-19, respectively, namely feelings of fear or anxiety, stress, depression and anger.ResultsThe majority of participants were professional nurses (37%) and advanced midwives (47%). They reported a significant change in well-being from before the pandemic to during the pandemic with regard to all four items (p < 0.0001). The biggest ‘before-during’ difference was in perceptions of fear or anxiety and the smallest difference was in perceptions of anger. A framework was constructed from the open-ended responses to explain healthcare workers’ understanding and perceptions of increased negative feelings regarding their mental well-being.ConclusionThe observed trends in the changes in healthcare workers’ self-perceptions of their mental well-being highlight the need for further planning to build resilient frontline healthcare workers and provide them with ongoing mental health support and improved communication pathways.

Facing Dementia During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

The shortage of personal protective equipment and lack of proper nursing training have been endangering health care workers dealing with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In our treatment center, the implementation of a holistic care model of time-sharing management for severe and critical COVID-19 patients has further aggravated the shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) professional nurses. Therefore, we developed a short-term specialized and targeted nursing training program to help ICU nurses to cope with stress and become more efficient, thus reducing the number of nurses required in the ICU. In order to avoid possible human-to-human spread, small teaching classes and remote training were applied. The procedural training mode included four steps: preparation, plan, implementation, and evaluation. An evaluation was conducted throughout the process of nursing training. In this study, we documented and shared experiences in transitioning from traditional face-to-face programs to remote combined with proceduralization nursing training mode from our daily work experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has shown to be helpful for nurses working in the ICU.