Introduction: Creating Effective Ways to Support Nurses' Mental Health during COVID-19.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Leadership
• Healthcare Management
• Pandemic Response

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic created unforeseen challenges for healthcare systems globally.
• Nurses and nurse leaders faced immense pressure and emotional distress.
• Rapidly evolving circumstances demanded constant adaptation from leadership.

Discussion:

• Nurse leaders experienced fear of failure in guiding and supporting their teams.
• The need for resilience and adaptability became paramount for effective leadership.
• Constant change required leaders to continuously access and utilize their leadership skills.

Key Insights:

• The pandemic highlighted the critical role of adaptive and resilient nurse leadership.
• Supporting nursing staff requires dynamic leadership strategies in crisis situations.
• Emotional well-being of nurse leaders is crucial for sustained team support.

Outlook:

• Future leadership training should incorporate crisis management and resilience.
• Developing robust support systems for nurse leaders is essential.
• Lessons learned can inform preparedness for future public health emergencies.