COVID-19-A Qualitative Orthopaedic Nurse Perspective

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Pandemic Response
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Elective surgery centers transformed to care for COVID-19 patients following a New York State mandate in March 2020.
• The study focuses on the experiences of orthopaedic nurses during this unprecedented period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the experiences of orthopaedic nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify coping strategies employed by nurses to manage pandemic-related stress.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, qualitative research design was utilized.
• Nine experienced orthopaedic nurses provided 51 journal entries in response to open-ended prompts between April and December 2020.

Main Results:

• Twelve themes emerged from the journal entries, including 'Whirlwind,' 'War,' 'Death and Dying,' 'Staying Safe,' 'Loss,' 'Adaptability and Resilience,' and 'The New Normal.'
• Nurses demonstrated adaptability, drawing on extensive training to manage patient care amidst significant personal and professional challenges.
• Peer and leadership support, positive thinking, and personal resilience were crucial for coping, although decreased journaling suggested emotional strain over time.

Conclusions:

• Orthopaedic nurses exhibited remarkable adaptability and resilience while navigating the complexities of COVID-19 patient care.
• Effective coping strategies involved strong peer and leadership support, alongside personal resilience and positive thinking.
• The pandemic's impact on nursing practice and reliance on technology warrants further investigation.