“More Attentive to My Wellness”: Reported Experiences of Academic Nurse Faculty and Staff in the Early Months of the Pandemic

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

The COVID-19 pandemic presented major changes for individuals working in nursing academia. While university faculty and staff encountered many challenges, the pandemic also presented new opportunities. The purpose of this study was to determine how the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted nursing faculty and staff perceptions about their wellness experiences. An on-line survey was developed and sent to all faculty and staff. Data were collected through a convenience sample using both open-ended and closed-ended questions. Descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis were used to analyze the data. Among respondents (n = 139), wellness areas frequently reported to be “better” included productivity, access to meetings, work time flexibility, work-day attire, feeling respect and understanding from colleagues, nutrition, physical activity, and outdoor time. Areas frequently reported to be “worse” included workspace ergonomics, opportunities for informal check-ins, connectivity, and collaboration with colleagues, length of the workday, perceived work-life balance, sleep, mood, and connectivity with friends/family. Key themes emerged from coded open-ended responses; these include flexibility, self-care, connection, and leadership support. Examples of both positive and negative experiences are contained within each code and respective theme. Opportunities for continued flexibility and compassion for differing experiences were commonly observed in the survey and were recommended for retention post-pandemic to promote employee well-being. Open communication and transparency were also suggested as key elements required for successful transition in the return to routines as the pandemic becomes endemic. The implications of these findings may be extended to broader crises.