Voices from the COVID-19 frontline: Nurses' trauma and coping

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Psychology
• Public Health
• COVID-19 Research

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented stress on healthcare systems globally.
• Critical care nurses faced unique challenges, including high patient mortality and personal risk.
• Understanding the psychological impact and coping mechanisms of these nurses is crucial for their well-being and healthcare system resilience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of critical care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To investigate the prevalence and nature of psychological trauma encountered by these nurses.
• To examine the role of substance use and other coping mechanisms in response to pandemic-related stressors.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study employing content analysis.
• Online survey data collected from June to September 2020.
• Analysis of open-ended responses from 70 nurses regarding trauma and 65 nurses regarding substance use/mental health issues.

Main Results:

• Five themes emerged regarding psychological trauma: distress, overwhelming death, divided loyalties, betrayal, and resilience.
• Three themes identified concerning mental health and substance use: a current mental health crisis, increased reliance on substances for coping, and weakened support systems.
• Nurses reported being more stressed and stretched thinner than ever, turning to various substances to cope with pandemic-related pressures.

Conclusions:

• Frontline nurses experienced significant trauma and utilized substances as coping mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Existing support systems for nurses were found to be weakened, leading to increased maladaptive coping strategies.
• The study underscores the critical need for accessible mental health services and organizational support for nurses' well-being.