Nurse Managers' Perceptions and Experiences during the COVID-19 Crisis: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Leadership
• Crisis Response

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to global health systems.
• Nurse managers, responsible for organizing nursing staff, faced unique and often overlooked difficulties.
• Understanding these experiences is crucial for improving healthcare crisis preparedness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and elaborate on the lived experiences of nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify the specific challenges encountered by nurse managers in a pandemic setting.
• To provide insights into effective strategies for supporting nurse managers during health crises.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative content analysis approach was employed.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 nurse managers.
• Data analysis followed the Lundman and Graneheim methodology until data saturation.

Main Results:

• Nurse managers' experiences were categorized into three main themes: personnel mental health, managerial and equipment provision challenges, and adaptability and exultation.
• Thirteen sub-categories emerged from the analysis, detailing specific aspects of these experiences.
• Key challenges included managing staff well-being and securing necessary resources.

Conclusions:

• Frontline nurse managers encounter substantial challenges during critical events like pandemics.
• Effective crisis management and supportive strategies can mitigate threats.
• Pandemic-related challenges can be leveraged as opportunities for individual and organizational development and growth.