Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2023, 14(4):1001-1009 | DOI: 10.15452/cejnm.2023.14.0017

Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the lives and work of nurses

Sylva Bártlová1, Ivana Chloubová1, Valérie Tóthová1, Věra Hellerová1, Jana Kimmerová1, František Dolák1, Olga Shivairová2, David Kimmer3, Aleš Chrdle1,4
1 Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic
2 Institute of Humanities in Helping Professions, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic
3 Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic
4 Infectious Disease Department, Hospital České Budějovice, a. s., Czech Republic

Aim: The study aimed to describe nurses’ roles, map their views, knowledge, and experiences, and clarify the factors influencing their work and personal life during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic. Design: A descriptive and cross-sectional design was used for the study. Methods: A representative sociological survey was conducted. A non-standardized questionnaire was used to collect data; the primary objective was to survey nurses’ views, knowledge, and experiences gained during the Covid-19 pandemic and identify essential issues that must be addressed before the next pandemic. The questionnaire contained a total of 57 questions. The sample was constructed by quota sampling; the criteria for inclusion in the sample were the respondents’ gender, age, and region. These characteristics were established as representative. The sample consisted of 1,197 nurses. Results: The most commonly reported factor influencing the work of nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic was fear of transmitting the infection (63.6%). Fear of the unknown (59%) and increased workload (54.7%) were also frequently reported to be strong influencers. The responses of nurses were statistically significantly influenced by the type of medical facility in which they worked (p < 0.05) and where they worked during the Covid-19 pandemic (p < 0.001). Most respondents (89.6%) said Covid-19 represented increased physical and mental burdens. Almost the same proportion of respondents (88.4%) felt Covid-19 affected their social lives, and 76.7% reported that it also affected their personal lives. Conclusion: Healthcare facility management should ensure sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) is available before pandemics and pay close attention to the needs of staff regarding psychological counselling and crisis intervention during pandemics.

Keywords: Covid-19 pandemic, nurses, personal life, risk factors, working life

Received: May 2, 2023; Revised: October 11, 2023; Accepted: October 13, 2023; Published: December 6, 2023  Show citation

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Bártlová S, Chloubová I, Tóthová V, Hellerová V, Kimmerová J, Dolák F, et al.. Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the lives and work of nurses. Central European Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. 2023;14(4):1001-1009. doi: 10.15452/cejnm.2023.14.0017.
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