Supporting nurses' mental health during the pandemic

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid changes in healthcare policies.
• Nurses often lacked input in the creation of new institutional policies.
• These policy shifts have negatively impacted nurses' sense of safety and trust.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effects of institutional policy changes on nursing mental health.
• To explore the impact of personal protective equipment (PPE) and family visitation policies.
• To provide practical strategies for enhancing nurse resilience and mental well-being.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of nurse experiences with new institutional policies.
• Focus on changes related to personal protective equipment (PPE) accessibility and guidelines.
• Examination of evolving family visitation protocols and their impact on nursing staff.

Main Results:

• New policies, particularly concerning PPE and family visitation, have diminished nurses' sense of safety.
• Lack of nurse involvement in policy development has fostered mistrust within healthcare settings.
• These factors contribute to significant adverse effects on nurses' mental health and resilience.

Conclusions:

• Institutional policies significantly influence nursing mental health during public health crises.
• Prioritizing nurse input in policy creation is crucial for fostering trust and safety.
• Implementing targeted support strategies is essential for maintaining nurse resilience and well-being.