Changes in nurses' work: A comparative study during the waves of COVID-19 pandemic

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted healthcare systems globally.
• Nurses' roles and workloads were profoundly affected, necessitating an evaluation of these changes.
• Understanding these shifts is crucial for optimizing nursing practice and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and evaluate changes in nursing work and activities.
• To compare these changes between nurses caring for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.
• To assess the impact across the first and second waves of the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted among Estonian nurses.
• The 'The impact of COVID-19 emergency on nursing care' questionnaire was utilized.
• Data from 162 (wave 1) and 284 (wave 2) nurses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests (Fisher's exact, McNemar's).

Main Results:

• The pandemic altered the work context for all nurses, with greater perceived changes during the second wave.
• Nurses caring for COVID-19 patients reported increased patient numbers and complexity.
• These nurses also performed fundamental care, nursing techniques, and symptom control more frequently.

Conclusions:

• Caring for COVID-19 patients is intensive, demanding increased direct patient care.
• The pandemic led to a rise in both direct patient care and non-patient care related activities for nurses.
• Findings highlight the demanding nature of pandemic nursing and the need for targeted support.