Being a nursing student during the coronavirus pandemic: a mixed methods study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nursing Education
• Psychology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated significant lifestyle changes, including social distancing and digital learning.
• These changes potentially impacted students' overall health and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess fear of COVID-19, psychological distress, general health, and quality of life.
• Focus on baccalaureate nursing students one year into the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods study combining quantitative surveys and qualitative focus group interviews.
• Quantitative data from 396 nursing students; qualitative data from 23 students.
• Validated measures for fear, distress, health, and quality of life; ANOVA and chi-square tests for quantitative data; systematic text condensation for qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Mean scores indicated moderate fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress.
• Students reported challenges related to personal relationships, physical health, and mental health.
• Qualitative findings highlighted the negative effect of the pandemic on students' quality of life.

Conclusions:

• The pandemic adversely affected nursing students' quality of life and mental/physical health, often leading to feelings of isolation.
• Students demonstrated resilience and adaptive strategies, acquiring skills beneficial for their future nursing practice.