Experiences of new nurses in the United States during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: This qualitative descriptive study describes the experiences of new nurses during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. BACKGROUND: New nurses faced the dual challenge of transitioning to practice while working during a global pandemic. Although multiple studies have described nurses' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, research is warranted to understand new nurses' experiences during the acute phase of the pandemic. METHODS: Registered nurses (n = 46) with less than two years of work experience, who participated in the COVID-19 Study and Registry of Healthcare and Support Personnel (CHAMPS), participated in this study. Thematic analysis was used to examine their responses. The COREQ guidelines were used in reporting this study. RESULTS: Five themes were extracted: feelings of increasing isolation, feelings of intense fear, personal health concerns, shattered and disrupted expectations, and living in a constant dilemma. DISCUSSION: New nurses described their distress and profound sense of isolation which was compounded by their status as new employees and being shunned by others. There was intense fear for their safety and health. They viewed their limited nursing experience with only COVID-19 patients as detrimental to their careers and encountered complex dilemmas and were obligated to make problematic choices. CONCLUSIONS: New nurses revealed unrelenting psychological and physical distress during the pandemic. Identification and implementation of strategies to address their distress and alleviate its negative consequences were needed but not provided. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: The development and implementation of policies to address the challenges new nurses encounter are needed. Action strategies to promote professional socialization and job retention are required.

A thematic analysis of shared experiences of essential health and support personnel in the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Studies have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on individuals who interact with patients with SARS-CoV-2 but focused largely on clinicians in acute care settings. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to understand the experiences and well-being of essential workers across settings during the pandemic. BACKGROUND: Multiple studies of the well-being of individuals who have cared for patients during the pandemic have included interviews of clinicians from acute care settings and revealed high levels of stress. However, other essential workers have not been included in most of those studies, yet they may also experience stress. METHODS: Individuals who participated in an online study of anxiety, depression, traumatic distress, and insomnia, were invited to provide a free-text comment if they had anything to add. A total of 2,762 essential workers (e.g., nurses, physicians, chaplains, respiratory therapists, emergency medical technicians, housekeeping, and food service staff, etc.) participated in the study with 1,079 (39%) providing text responses. Thematic analysis was used to analyze those responses. RESULTS: Four themes with eight sub-themes were: Facing hopelessness, yet looking for hope; Witnessing frequent death; Experiencing disillusionment and disruption within the healthcare system, and Escalating emotional and physical health problems. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed major psychological and physical stress among essential workers. Understanding highly stressful experiences during the pandemic is essential to identify strategies that ameliorate stress and prevent its negative consequences. This study adds to the research on the psychological and physical impact of the pandemic on workers, including non-clinical support personnel often overlooked as experiencing major negative effects. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The magnitude of stress among all levels of essential workers suggests the need to develop strategies to prevent or alleviate stress across disciplines and all categories of workers.