Novice Nurses' Experiences Caring for Acutely Ill Patients during a Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Psychology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for healthcare systems globally.
• Newly graduated registered nurses (RNs) entered practice during this critical period, facing unique stressors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and describe the lived experiences of novice nurses working in acute care during the pandemic.
• To identify the challenges and support systems impacting early-career nurses.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted with 13 novice nurses in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Data were collected through interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Eight themes emerged, including coping with death, personal protective equipment (PPE) concerns, managing high-acuity patients with limited training, and staffing shortages.
• Nurses reported feeling overwhelmed but found support from healthcare teams and utilized coping skills from nursing school.
• Some participants exhibited potential symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Conclusions:

• Novice nurses experienced significant challenges and emotional distress during the pandemic.
• Peer support and foundational coping skills were vital for nurse resilience.
• Findings underscore the need for enhanced nursing education and psychological interventions to support the nursing workforce.