Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2023, 14(1):795-804 | DOI: 10.15452/cejnm.2022.13.0009

Nurseʼs mental health during Covid-19 pandemic

Olga Shivairová1, Sylva Bártlová2, Vìra Hellerová2, Ivana Chloubová2
1 Institute of Humanities in Helping Professions, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of University of South Bohemia in Èeské Budìjovice, Czech Republic
2 Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of University of South Bohemia in Èeské Budìjovice, Czech Republic

Aim: The aim of the research was to ascertain the feelings of frontline nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Design: Qualitative research using a phenomenological approach.

Methods: Qualitative research using a phenomenological approach was carried out with eight nurses working with Covid-19 patients in a hospital and in a seniors home in Kladno, in the Central Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Two diagrams, which show ties between identified categories, were generated based on results.

Results: External stresses during the first wave were: lack of information, lack of protective equipment, different attitudes towards the pandemic management. During the third wave, they were: lack of nurses and other medical personnel, overwhelming of the healthcare system, too much administrative work, and long working hours spent in protective gear. The stress-reducing factors revealed after the first wave were: solidarity and gratitude expressed by society. During the third wave, nurses noted greater self-confidence and pride, better interpersonal relationships.

Conclusion: The effective management of stressors in the pandemic period can contribute to better healthcare. Therefore, we should pay more attention to describe of them in future.

Keywords: confidence, Covid-19 pandemic, feelings, mental health, nurse, protective factors, stress

Received: January 17, 2022; Revised: April 10, 2022; Accepted: April 10, 2022; Prepublished online: February 5, 2023; Published: March 6, 2023  Show citation

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Shivairová O, Bártlová S, Hellerová V, Chloubová I. Nurseʼs mental health during Covid-19 pandemic. Central European Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. 2023;14(1):795-804. doi: 10.15452/cejnm.2022.13.0009.
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