Cancer nurses have experienced ‘moral injury' due to the pandemic

First, a Happy New Year to you all. I hope you enjoyed the festive break. In this issue, our cover article (evidence and practice, page 21) explains how emotional labour can lead to exhaustion and burnout, which contributes to a high turnover in the nursing workforce. It examines the differences in resilience and coping strategies of less experienced nurses compared with their more experienced counterparts.

INTERNATIONAL. The dilemma: International recruitment of nurses and midwives amid a global workforce shortage

The article addresses the global shortage of nurses and midwives. Topics discussed include the COVID-19 pandemic, the early retirement of nurses, and the international recruitment of nurses and midwives. Also mentioned are the emigration rates for native-born nurses, investment in nursing education, and the need for governments to commit more resources for workforce planning.

Correlation of the job turnover intention of Iranian nurses with job satisfaction and burnout in the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to numerous psychological consequences and a drastic increase in the workload of nurses. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation of the job turnover intention of Iranian nurses with job satisfaction and burnout in the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 300 nurses working in the hospitals in Sabzevar, Iran from October 2020 to January 2021. Data were collected using the questionnaires of turnover intention, Spector job satisfaction, and Maslach burnout in a self-report manner. Correlation analysis was used. Then, for assessing a predictive model used a simple linear regression and multiple linear regression analyses. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. RESULTS: The results showed that the variables of burnout and job satisfaction are effective on nurses' willingness to job turnover. Furthermore, among the background variable, the findings showed that the economic status of nurses and the male gender of patients under their care can be effective on nurses "job turnover intention and can be used as predictor variables of nurses" job turnover intention. CONCLUSION: According to the results, special attention must be paid to the job satisfaction, burnout, and the economic situation (as a mediator variable) of nurses to prevent their job turnover in the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is recommended that health managers prevent the job turnover intention of nurses in the COVID-19 pandemic by taking psycho-socio-economic support measures.

COVID-19 Continues to Burden General Practitioners: Impact on Workload, Provision of Care, and Intention to Leave.

General practitioners (GPs), already in a profession with a high workload, have been at the frontline of providing COVID-19-related healthcare in addition to routine care. Our study examined the impact of pandemic-related consultations and changes in practice organization on GPs' current workload and provision of healthcare in summer 2021 (May 2021-July 2021) and early 2022 (January 2022-February 2022). In total, 143 German GPs participated in an online survey in the summer of 2021. Of these, 51 GPs participated in the follow-up survey in 2022. Most GPs perceived an increase in consultation frequency, consultation times, and workload since the pandemic outbreak. Increased consultation times were related to the reduced provision of medical care to other patients with chronic diseases. More SARS-CoV-2 vaccination consultations were associated with reduced home visits, acute consultation times, and cancer screenings. A quarter of GPs considered leaving their job. Pandemic-related bureaucracy, restricted access to therapy and rehabilitation services specialized on COVID-19, unreliable vaccine deliveries, mandatory telematics-infrastructure implementation, and frequent changes in official regulations were the main reasons reported for dissatisfaction. Our results provide insights into how the pandemic continues to burden GPs' work routines and how better working conditions in times of high demand could be achieved in future pandemics.

Antecedents of burnout and turnover intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic in critical care nurses: A mediation study

Background: Nurses working in critical care environments have experienced a great deal of psychological stress during the successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying factors that contribute to burnout and turnover intentions are important to retain intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify factors that are directly and indirectly associated with burnout and turnover intentions in ICU nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with survey data during the peak of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through an online survey and analyzed using mediation analysis. A total of 236 ICU nurses across Canada participated in the study. Results: The results indicate that burnout mediates the relationship between moral distress, organizational support, resilience, and turnover intentions. Moreover, 49% of the participants were considering leaving. The reasons were related to lack of administrative support, poor work environment and safety concerns. Discussion: Organizational support and individual resilience can both play a role in turnover intentions through the prevention of burnout symptoms. Managers at all levels play an important role in mitigating the harmful effects of the pandemic. Conclusion: The pandemic has had a serious psychological impact on ICU nurses. Targeted interventions are needed to support this group.

Implementing collaborative learning in practice in a London maternity ward

A collaborative learning in practice pilot study in a maternity unit in a London Trust has been carried out. Collaborative learning in practice is a model for supervising students where they work in small groups under the guidance of a practice supervisor. The pilot found that the model is a possible approach to increasing placement capacity that provides an equally enriching, if not improved, learning experience. Improvements were seen in peer support, confidence and responsibility, teamwork skills, new learning opportunities and being better prepared for practice after graduation. Reflecting on the experience of implementing the first cycle of the pilot, this article provides guidance to healthcare education providers for implementing the model in practice placements. The guidance offers a modified model, establishing key personnel as collaborative learning in practice champions and providing adequate preparation for students, staff and the environment.

Association Between Dimensions of Professional Burnout and Turnover Intention Among Nurses Working in Hospitals During Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic in Iran Based on Structural Model.

Purpose: This study was done to assess the dimensions of professional burnout and turnover intention among nurses working in hospitals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Iran based on a structural model. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed among 170 nurses working in two referral hospitals of COVID-19 in Tehran Province, Iran, from September to December 2020. Data were collected using the sociodemographic form, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and Turnover Intention Questionnaire. Data were analyzed with SPSS and Amos software version 22 using independent t-test, ANOVA, and structural equation model. Results: The mean scores for burnout in emotional fatigue, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment dimensions were 25.38 ± 7.55, 9.47 ± 4.40, and 34.94 ± 7.80, respectively, moreover for the turnover intention, the score was 6.51 ± 3.17. The reduced personal accomplishment was identified as a positive predictor of turnover intention (p = 0.01). Work position and interest in attending the organization were significantly correlated with the turnover intention (p < 0.05). Conclusions: There is an immediate need to prepare nurses to cope better with the COVID-19 outbreak. Work-related stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increase in nurses' burnout and turnover intention. Identifying and managing the factors related to professional burnout will make it possible to prevent the nurses' turnover intention in such critical situations.

From The National Perinatal Information Center: National Minority Health Month: Amplifying Perinatal Nursing Leadership Disparities through Data

The article presents the discussion on recognizing health disparities impacting people from racial and ethnic minority groups. Topics include frontline nursing leadership positions pivotal for assuring quality outcomes, staff satisfaction, and organizational effectiveness of inpatient care units;and supporting nurse leaders during the pandemic contributing to the stressors.

Labor issues dominate hospitals’ concerns for early 2022

The article discusses the dominance of labor issues in hospitals' concerns in the U.S. for early 2022. Topics covered include COVID-19 related trends that continued in the first quarter of 2022, considerations as hospitals work to address workforce challenges, and concern on hospitals financial stability.

Managing Moral Distress

The article informs about applying strategies to help prevent moral destress or resolving moral distress in a positive way can benefit both nurses and organizations by promoting optimal patient care and reducing staff turnover and the risk of litigation from clinical errors. It mentions that nurse manages moral distress which is unnecessary treatment for a patient or witnessing inadequate pain relief because a provider fails to order adequate medication.

COVID-19's missing heroes: Nurses' contribution and visibility in Aotearoa New Zealand

The author reflects on the contributions and visibility of nurses in Aotearoa New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also cited are the factors leading to the country's effective response to the pandemic like the decisive and empathetic leadership of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, effective public communication, and the use of genomic sequencing for tracing and testing possible infections, and the reasons behind the lack of visibility of nurses during the fight against the pandemic.