Concerns, Perceived Impact, and Preparedness During COVID-19: The Nurses' Perception

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Limited research exists on COVID-19 challenges for Saudi Arabian frontline healthcare providers (HCPs).
• This study addresses the specific difficulties faced by nurses in Saudi Arabia during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess nurses' concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To evaluate the perceived impact of COVID-19 on nurses' professional and personal lives.
• To determine nurses' preparedness for the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 534 nurses in a Saudi Arabian tertiary healthcare setting.
• Data collected between July and October 2020 using a 38-item anonymous self-structured survey.
• Participants were nurses in acute care settings with proficient English skills.

Main Results:

• Nurses expressed concerns regarding working conditions and susceptibility to COVID-19 infection, reporting increased work-related stress.
• A high percentage of nurses (96.88%) confirmed the presence of hospital infection control committees.
• Nurses reported confidence in their personal and organizational readiness, with significant associations found between COVID-19's impact and nurse demographics (age, job title).

Conclusions:

• Despite reported readiness, nurses experienced significant work and non-work-related worries.
• Healthcare institutions must integrate psychosocial support, epidemiological education, and environmental control training for HCPs.
• Effective management of pandemic effects requires robust operational planning considering HCP well-being and training.