The psychological well‐being of primary healthcare nurses during COVID‐19: A qualitative study
Open Access
- 18 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Advanced Nursing
- Vol. 77 (9), 3820-3828
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14937
Abstract
Aim To explore primary healthcare nurses' psychological well-being related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Design Qualitative descriptive study. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants between June and August 2020 who indicated their willingness to participate in an interview following a national survey. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim by professional transcribers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results The importance of professional and public support and acknowledgement of the nurses' role during the pandemic positively influenced feelings of being valued. The psychological impact of negative experiences increased anxiety and stress levels. Participants reported a range of self-care strategies, including increased vigilance with infection control at home and work and attention to physical exercise and diet. Most participants remained positive about their roles and career decisions, although some indicated that the negative psychological impacts prompted re-evaluation of their career. Conclusions Primary healthcare nurses have been exposed to a range of personal and professional stressors during the pandemic that have impacted their psychological well-being. Awareness of stressors and an understanding of what has helped and what has impacted well-being are important in guiding future workplace support systems. Further work to explore the long-term impact of these stressors and the effectiveness of coping strategies employed by primary healthcare nurses is warranted. Impact Managers and professional organisations need to consider the personal and professional stressors that have impacted on primary healthcare nurses' psychological well-being to promote health and well-being among nurses following COVID-19.Keywords
Funding Information
- Australian College of Nursing
- University of Wollongong
This publication has 29 references indexed in Scilit:
- A Systematic Review of the Impact of Disaster on the Mental Health of Medical RespondersPrehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2019
- A qualitative study of collaboration in general practice: understanding the general practice nurse's roleJournal of Clinical Nursing, 2017
- The evolution of nursing in Australian general practice: a comparative analysis of workforce surveys ten years onBMC Family Practice, 2014
- What's in a name? Qualitative description revisitedResearch in Nursing & Health, 2009
- The GP's response to pandemic influenza: a qualitative studyFamily Practice, 2006
- Long-term Psychological and Occupational Effects of Providing Hospital Healthcare during SARS OutbreakEmerging Infectious Diseases, 2006
- Using thematic analysis in psychologyQualitative Research in Psychology, 2006
- Benefits and Outcomes of Staff Nurses' Participation in Decision MakingJONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 2001
- Beyond Ponce de Leon and Life Satisfaction: New Directions in Quest of Successful AgeingInternational Journal of Behavioral Development, 1989
- Naturalistic inquiry: Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications, 1985, 416 pp., $25.00 (Cloth)International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 1985