Challenges faced by new nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Trauma Studies
• Public Health

Background:

• COVID-19 presented unique trauma for nurses, particularly those new to the profession.
• Limited research exists on new nurses' preparedness and well-being during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of nurses within two years of graduation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To understand their preparation, emotional, and physical well-being.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive design with purposive sampling.
• In-depth, semi-structured interviews with 29 early-career nurses.
• Thematic analysis of interview data.

Main Results:

• Six themes emerged: "We were not prepared," "I was just thrown in," "Avoiding infection," "It was so sad," "We did the best we could," and "I learned so much."
• Nurses reported fear, exhaustion, isolation, and distress.

Conclusions:

• The pandemic significantly impacted new nurses' well-being and preparedness.
• High turnover among young nurses threatens the healthcare workforce.
• Addressing the needs of new nurses is vital for retention and preventing future shortages.