Keywords
Lessons learned, health crisis, COVID-19, nursing work, nurse
-
Views
-
Downloads
How to cite this article
Meneses-La-Riva ME, Fernández-Bedoya VH, Suyo-Vega JA et al. Lessons learned during the health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the work of the nursing professional: A systematic review [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2023, 12:777 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.134625.1)
NOTE: If applicable, it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.
Export Citation
Sciwheel
EndNote
Ref. Manager
Bibtex
ProCite
Sente
▬
✚
Systematic Review
Lessons learned during the health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the work of the nursing professional: A systematic review
[version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]
PUBLISHED 04 Jul 2023
OPEN PEER REVIEW
REVIEWER STATUS
This article is included in the Emerging Diseases and Outbreaks gateway.
This article is included in the Health Services gateway.
This article is included in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) collection.
This article is included in the Human resilience, growth and well-being during COVID19 collection.
Abstract
Corresponding authors:
Monica Elisa Meneses-La-Riva, Víctor Hugo Fernández-Bedoya, Josefina Amanda Suyo-Vega, Rosario Violeta Grijalva-Salazar
Competing interests:
No competing interests were disclosed.
Grant information:
This study was carried out and funded by the Universidad César Vallejo, within the framework of the work plan outlined in RVI N°435-2022-VI-UCV.
The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Copyright:
© 2023 Meneses-La-Riva ME et al.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
How to cite: Meneses-La-Riva ME, Fernández-Bedoya VH, Suyo-Vega JA et al. Lessons learned during the health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the work of the nursing professional: A systematic review [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2023, 12:777 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.134625.1)
First published: 04 Jul 2023, 12:777 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.134625.1)
Latest published: 04 Nov 2024, 12:777 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.134625.2)
The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
There is a newer version
of this article available.
of this article available.
Introduction
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has undoubtedly been one of the most impactful events in recent years. It began in 2019 when the first case was reported in Wuhan, China. Since then, the disease’s evolution has affected millions of people worldwide, increasing morbidity and mortality indicators. Additionally, this pandemic has had a decisive impact on multiple aspects, such as health, economy, and society in general (Suyo-Vega et al., 2022; Fernández-Bedoya et al., 2023; Maldonado-Cueva et al., 2023). Although it has highlighted weaknesses in global preparation and response, it has also emphasized the importance of international cooperation and solidarity to face global challenges (Pratiwi et al., 2022; Qu, 2023). In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented experience that has left important lessons for the future (Doraiswamy et al., 2021; Romiti and Talerico, 2021; Clarke et al., 2022). While it has been a time of great uncertainty and difficulty, it has also shown the importance of working together as a global community to overcome the challenges we face (WHO, 2020a).
However, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the mental health of nurses worldwide, who have been on the front line of the pandemic response, being at a greater risk of exposure to the virus, and carrying a higher workload burden and emotional stress (WHO, 2020b). Within the nursing community, it was found that 16.8% experienced symptoms of depression, 46.4% reported anxiety, 22.4% reported stress, and 77.6% reported insomnia. These issues were more prevalent among older nurses, those in permanent positions, nurses with extensive experience, and those with comorbidities that put them at risk. Additionally, nurses who had less leisure time and worked longer hours also exhibited higher levels of these symptoms. Burnout was detected in 50.5%, and fear of COVID-19 in 46.9% (Simón et al., 2022). On the other hand, the precariousness of the healthcare system in which healthcare workers operate has led to Mexico being one of the countries with the highest number of deaths among medical and nursing personnel due to COVID-19 globally. These workers have also faced reprisals, arrests, detentions, threats, and dismissals for expressing or making public their demands and the conditions in which they work (Agostoni, 2021). Regarding this matter, the State of the World’s Nursing 2020 report titled “Investing in Education, Jobs, and Leadership” provides an estimation that there are approximately 28 million nursing professionals globally. This figure accounts for over half of the total number of healthcare professionals. It also highlights that there is still a global deficit of 5.9 million nursing professionals, mostly in countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean Regions of WHO, as well as in some countries in Latin America (Ribeiro et al., 2020; CEPAL and OPS, 2021).
Likewise, the College of Nurses in Peru, through its website, reported that it has a total of 96,347 registered nurses; as of January 18, 2021, a total of 94 nurses have died, and more than 6,000 have been infected. Negative impacts include “issues related to gender, the risk of violence, the excessive duration of working hours, and unfair treatment of migrant personnel, which affect the nursing profession.” To address the deficiencies in the system, contracts were created to reduce the shortage of professionals. According to data from the General Directorate of Human Resources of the Peruvian Ministerio de Salúd (Ministry of Health, MINSA), these contracts benefited approximately 8,000 nurses, reaching a total of 43,250 professionals in November 2020. However, this incorporation of new professionals into the healthcare system exposed them to precarious employment, essentially without labor rights, and the risk of unemployment as the severity of the epidemic fluctuated (Iturri de la Mata et al., 2020; Ministerio de Salud (MINSA), 2021).
It is important to note that the mental health of nursing staff not only affects their individual well-being but also has an impact on the quality of care they provide to patients, as fatigue and emotional stress can lead to errors and a decrease in the quality of care (Ferrán and Trigo, 2021; Loyola da Silva et al., 2021; Marques and Saraiva, 2022). In addition, it is essential to pay attention to the mental health of nurses and provide adequate support and resources to cope with the implications of the pandemic, which should include the implementation of psychological support programs and the promotion of self-care and well-being practices (Franco Coffre, 2019; Alam and Parveen, 2021).
In Ecuador, it was determined that the main signs and symptoms presented by nursing staff are: stress, fear, anxiety, depression, and lack of concentration in performing the tasks required by their work. These were the staff considered to be on the front line of direct care and, during the pandemic, present a medium level of mental health impact (Marques and Saraiva, 2022). It is concluded that nursing staff are not only the most exposed to infection but also the receivers of patients’ pain and suffering and, therefore, from a psychological point of view, they are more vulnerable (Tarqui Mamani and Quintana Atencio, 2019; Morales Ramón et al., 2020; Singh and Subedi, 2020; Quiroz-Figueroa et al., 2022).
The explored scientific evidence allows us to support nursing faculties worldwide. When preparing for future pandemics, it is crucial to include self-care, evidence-based practices, protocols, and enhanced communication among healthcare professionals in the planning process (Riess et al., 2023). Furthermore, a review study showed that the pandemic impacts nursing work routines, updating measures to prevent occupational infections and pressure injuries from the use of protective equipment, attention to mental health, infection rates among nurses for greater visibility and recognition of the position’s importance in healthcare (Loyola da Silva et al., 2021). The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the scientific evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the job performance of nursing professionals. The contributions seek to make visible the main strategies, techniques, and procedures carried out by nurses as key players in the management of change in the healthcare field (Nieves et al., 2020), to avoid the repercussions of dealing with a health crisis.
Methods
The study was a systematic, narrative review (Moreno et al., 2018). Scientific evidence was searched for in the Scopus database published in English and Spanish from 2020 to 2023 to fulfill the research objectives. The search was conducted on 1 April, 2023. Search engines were used through synonym equations or alternative terms such as (“Mental health nurses” AND “COVID-19”) and (“Enfermeras de salud mental” AND “COVID-19”).
The initial search conducted on the Scopus database generated a total of 56 records. Among these, 23 articles were identified but had to be removed due to lack of access from the publisher, resulting in 33 accessible records. After applying filters based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 30 eligible records remained. From these, four duplicates were eliminated, leading to a final selection of 30 records. With all the information collected, the following research question was addressed: What is the scientific evidence on lessons learned from the health crisis in the nursing profession? In order to accomplish the objectives, a comprehensive review of the database was conducted. The titles, abstracts, and contents of each document were thoroughly evaluated to categorize the studies. Data were then extracted from the preselected and selected studies, and ultimately, conclusions were presented based on the analysis and interpretation of the data. That said, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) elements of reporting were used, and the flow diagram detailed in Figure 1 was presented.
Figure 1. PRISMA flow chart.
Results
Table 1 shows the findings resulting from the systematization of the identified evidence.
Table 1. Citation, tittle, journal, type or article and method, and results of each record.
| Citation and tittle | Journal | Type or article and method | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Naeim et al., 2020) Strategies to reduce the anxiety and depression of nurses in the special wards of COVID-19 | Psychiatric Nursing | Opinion | Strategies to reduce anxiety and depression include: exercises, breathing techniques, promoting teamwork, encouraging dialogue to avoid crises, thinking positively, seeking the help of experts, avoiding insomnia, consuming healthy foods, elevating well-being by fostering a sense of hope in oneself and surroundings, enhancing humor, and using happiness-approaching therapies. |
| (Galehdar et al., 2020) Exploring nurses’ perception about the care needs of patients with COVID-19: a qualitative study | BMC Nursing | Reseach article: Qualitative study | Strategies to reduce anxiety and depression include: exercises, breathing techniques, promoting teamwork, encouraging dialogue to avoid crises, thinking positively, seeking the help of experts, avoiding insomnia, consuming healthy foods, elevating well-being by fostering a sense of hope in oneself and surroundings, enhancing humor, and using happiness-approaching therapies. |
| (Esteban et al., 2021) Concern because of COVID-19, social support at work, and anxiety as predictors of depression in peruvian nurses. | Revista Salud Uninorte | Reseach article: Quantitative study | Findings show that anxiety, stress, and depression symptoms emerged in nurses due to concerns over COVID-19. Coping strategies, such as dialogue, positive thinking, and teamwork, among others, should be supported. |
| (Agostoni, 2021) Médicos, enfermeras y pacientes: entre las contradicciones, la incertidumbre y las carencias en tiempo de covid-19 en México. | Historia, ciencias, saude--Manguinhos | Reseach article: Qualitative study | The shortage of resources and high demand for health services caused a higher number of deaths among medical and nursing personnel. In addition, it was made visible that the health system is fragmented. It is suggested to establish consistent policies in health crises for human resources and patients. |
| (Bartzik et al., 2021) Negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses can be buffered by a sense of humor and appreciation. | BMC Nursing | Reseach article: Quantitative study | Nurses experienced decreased levels of engagement during the health crisis, resulting in fewer moments of optimal experience, and feeling less satisfied with their work, life, job performance, and well-being compared to before the pandemic. However, the presence of a sense of humor and perceived appreciation from society and patients were identified as buffers against the negative effects related to the pandemic. |
| (Virani, 2021) Moral distress amid COVID-19: A frontline emergency nurse’s perspective | Nursing | Opinion | During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses providing critical care services are highly susceptible to experiencing moral distress. This distress can arise due to various factors, including the limited availability of resources, inadequate staffing levels, a shortage of personal protective equipment, and the demanding task of caring for vulnerable populations. |
| (Bucher et al., 2021) Stressors, self-reported overall health, potential protective factors and the workplace well-being of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: a longitudinal mixed-methods study protocol | BMJ Open | Reseach article: Mixed methods study | It is significant to integrate nursing curricula or even in professional development programs in health management for crisis situations. |
| (Thude et al., 2021) How did nurses cope with the fast, comprehensive organisational changes at Danish hospital wards during the COVID-19 pandemic? An interview study based on nurses’ experiences | BMJ Open | Reseach article: Qualitative study | The presence of managers within hospital wards played a crucial role in offering both psychological and practical support to nurses. It was considered essential for nurses to work in an organization that ensures a safe environment. Additionally, the presence of effective management was crucial in offering psychological support and establishing a secure atmosphere, enabling nurses to effectively handle new and critical tasks. |
| (Malinowska-Lipień et al., 2021) The Correlation between Nurses’ COVID-19 Infections and their emotional state and work conditions during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | Reseach article: Quantitative study | The health crisis lead to a higher level of anxiety, depression, and anger, as well as a sense of greater workload. |
| (Savci et al., 2021) Anxiety Levels and Clinical Decision-Making Skills of Nurses Providing Care for Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19 | Electronic Journal of General Medicine | Reseach article: Quantitative study | The anxiety levels of nurses were significantly elevated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their clinical decision-making skills remained high. However, no significant correlation was found between the anxiety levels and the nurses’ clinical decision-making abilities. |
| (Aliabadi et al., 2021) The role of spiritual intelligence in predicting the empathy levels of nurses with COVID-19 patients. | Archives of Psychiatric Nursing | Reseach article: Quantitative study | The findings demonstrate a positive correlation between empathy and spiritual intelligence. However, it is important to also focus on the mental well-being of nurses. Consequently, it is recommended to implement training programs and establish national or international initiatives to address this issue. |
| (Lin et al., 2022) Burn-out, emotional labour and psychological resilience among gastroenterology nurses during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study | BMJ Open | Reseach article: Quantitative study | Improving nurses’ psychological resilience can enhance emotional work and reduce burnout, thus decreasing turnover rates. Hospital management should pay attention to the psychological state of nurses. |
| (Boned-Galán et al., 2022) Sleep disturbances in nurse managers during the early and late stages of the COVID-19 pandemic | Frontiers in Psychology | Reseach artile: Quantitative study | The elevated levels of stress and compromised sleep quality experienced by nurse managers demand dedicated attention, necessitating the implementation of targeted interventions. Hospitals should establish programs that assist nurse managers in acquiring skills to effectively manage stress, enhance their sleep quality, and promote overall well-being in their professional lives. |
| (Saravanan et al., 2022) Investigating burn-out contributors and mitigators among intensive care unit nurses during COVID-19: a focus group interview study | BMJ Open | Reseach article: Quantitative study | By identifying the factors that contribute to burnout among ICU nurses at a systemic level, the study outcomes provide valuable insights for designing and implementing interventions that can effectively prevent or alleviate pandemic-related burnout among nursing staff. |
| (Wu et al., 2022) Effects of physical activity on regulatory emotional self-efficacy, resilience, and emotional intelligence of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic | Frontiers in Psychology | Reseach article: Quantitative study | The positive emotions generated through physical activity significantly contribute to individuals seeking to enhance their self-efficacy in emotional regulation, emotional intelligence, and psychological resilience. For nurses, protective factors are crucial in preventing a high risk of emotional deterioration. |
| (Peng et al., 2022) Night shifts, insomnia, anxiety, and depression among Chinese nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic remission period: A network approach | Frontiers in Public Health | Reseach article: Quantitative study | Sleep maintenance,” “Fatigue,” “Motor,” and “Restlessness” were important in maintaining the symptom network of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in nurses. Further interventions should prioritize these symptoms. |
| (Nishihara et al., 2022) Occupational stress, psychological distress, physical symptoms, and their interrelationships among frontline nurses caring for COVID-19 patients in Japan. | Medicine | Reseach article: Quantitative study | The increase in job demand and the shortage of nursing resources led to discomfort during the peak activity period, causing stress, psychological distress, and insomnia. |
| (Stefanowicz-Bielska et al., 2022) Life satisfaction of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | Reseach article: Quantitative study | The continuous exposure to challenging and stressful situations, along with the overall fatigue experienced by nursing professionals, can potentially lead to a lack of motivation, professional burnout, apathy, and mental and physical health issues. |
| (Ribeiro et al., 2022) Impact of COVID-19 on the environments of professional nursing practice and nurses’ job satisfaction | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | Reseach article: Quantitative study | The identification of dimensions with the highest and lowest scores enabled institution managers to prioritize their efforts towards areas that required improvement. This approach ensured that they were prepared for the recovery of healthcare activities. |
| (Tang et al., 2022) The impact of nurses’ sense of security on turnover intention during the normalization of COVID-19 epidemic: The mediating role of work engagement | Frontiers in Public Health | Reseach artile: Quantitative study | Policymakers and managers have the opportunity to address the sense of security needs of nurses as a new perspective for reducing the intention to leave and promoting the stability of the nursing team. By prioritizing the security needs of nurses, policymakers and managers can create a supportive environment that encourages nurses to remain in their positions. |
| (Becerra-Medina et al., 2022) Mental health impacts of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in Peru | Frontiers in Psychology | Reseach article: Quantitative study | The fear of contagion, as well as generalized anxiety, are related to physical-cognitive fatigue. It is necessary to ensure the safety of nurses by providing the necessary personal protective equipment. |
| (Maideen et al., 2022) Nurses’ mental health and coping strategies throughout COVID-19 outbreak: A nationwide qualitative study | International Journal of Mental Health Nursing | Reseach article: Quantitative study | Throughout various stages of the pandemic, nurses employed psychosocial coping strategies and received support from their families, friends, the public, and the government. This research is of utmost importance as it serves as a foundation for other countries to develop psychological interventions that have not yet been addressed. |
| (Wang et al., 2023) The association between team resilience and team performance in nurses during COVID-19 pandemic: a network analysis | BMC Nursing | Reseach article: Quantitative study | Supervision, anticipation, satisfaction with cooperation with other departments, and learning were fundamental variables that maintained the resilience-performance network structure of the nursing team during the pandemic. |
| (Tavakol et al., 2023) Moral distress in psychiatric nurses in Covid-19 crisis | BMC Psychology | Reseach article: Qualitative study | To effectively address the challenges faced in hospitals, managers and planners should ensure that isolation facilities and personal protective equipment are readily available for both patients and nurses. Additionally, it is recommended to enhance the ethical climate within healthcare settings by improving communication skills and providing individualized training for nursing staff. These measures can help prevent moral distress and promote a supportive and ethically sound environment for healthcare professionals. |
| (Ali et al., 2023) Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among nurses during COVID-19 pandemic | The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery | Reseach article: Quantitative study | The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the psychological well-being of nurses who have been exposed to the virus. It has resulted in an increased prevalence of depressive symptoms among these nurses, adding to the overall burden experienced during the pandemic. |
| (Huff et al., 2023) COVID-19 related negative emotions and emotional suppression are associated with greater risk perceptions among emergency nurses: A cross-sectional study | International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances | Reseach article: Quantitative study | Nurses’ negative emotions in response to COVID-19 were found to be linked to higher perceptions of both patient safety risks and personal risks. |
| (Calkins et al., 2023) The early impact of COVID-19 on intensive care nurses’ personal and professional well-being: A qualitative study | Intensive & Critical Care Nursing | Reseach article: Qualitative study | The pandemic’s effect on the physical and emotional well-being of nurses has significant consequences for the retention and growth of the nursing workforce. This study emphasizes the crucial role of primary care nurses in advocating for systemic changes to enhance the working environment. It is essential for nurses to receive comprehensive training that encompasses evidence-based practice and clinical skills. Systems should be in place to monitor and support nurses’ mental health, while also promoting the adoption of self-care techniques and strategies to prevent anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and burnout. |
| (Lee et al., 2023) Nurses’ adaptations to changes on a COVID-19 ward in South Korea: A qualitative study | Heliyon | Reseach article: Qualitative study | In order to effectively address a national disaster situation such as COVID-19, it is imperative for the government and healthcare organizations to develop strategies that support nurses in enhancing their professionalism. |
| (Kang et al., 2023) Nurses’ perception towards care robots and their work experience with socially assistive technology during COVID-19: A qualitative study | Geriatric Nursing | Reseach article: Qualitative study | The study identified three themes: perceived benefits, perceived challenges, and necessary improvements for enhancing the quality of care. The study also found that the limited integration of technology in care activities had a detrimental effect on the quality of care delivered. |
| (Ménard et al., 2022) “I called us the sacrificial lambs”: Experiences of nurses working in border city hospitals during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic | Canadian Journal of Nursing Research | Reseach article: Qualitative study | The onset of the pandemic resulted in a sudden surge of disorder and uncertainty, leading to substantial modifications in patient care and hospital management that often worsened the situation. Ethical dilemmas emerged, such as the redistribution of resources and allocation, causing participants to experience negative emotional responses. Nurses described their approach to handling the pandemic as a search for innovative nursing practices, enhancing teamwork and fostering a sense of camaraderie while striving to strike a balance between work and personal life. The community’s reactions were mixed, with some expressing appreciation while others stigmatized the situation. Participants anticipated a “new normal” and expressed pride in the progress, achievements, and positive aspects observed in patients, along with a moderate sense of optimism for the future. |
Discussion
The findings from the review of scientific articles shed light on the impact of COVID-19 on the nursing profession, and were categorized into the following:
Problems that arose in the hospital setting during the pandemic
The main problems that arose during the pandemic are related to chaos and confusion due to significant changes in the structure of health care centers and patient care, often exacerbated by hospital management, inadequate ethical redistribution, and resource allocation (Ménard et al., 2022). Additionally, the lack of staffing and material resources (Virani, 2021) in nursing care were situations that led to constraints or feelings of frustration in the face of the health crisis, combined with illness, death, and despair due to high numbers of patients being constantly admitted (Agostoni, 2021), fear (Becerra-Medina et al., 2022), stress (Bartzik et al., 2021; Boned-Galán et al., 2022), anxiety (Savci et al., 2021; Becerra-Medina et al., 2022), depression (Galehdar et al., 2020; Naeim et al., 2020; Esteban et al., 2021; Ali et al., 2023), moral distress (Virani, 2021; Tavakol et al., 2023), an indicator of increased workload (Malinowska-Lipień et al., 2021), quality of life (Boned-Galán et al., 2022), sleep disorder (Boned-Galán et al., 2022; Nishihara et al., 2022) emotional exhaustion (Saravanan et al., 2022; Stefanowicz-Bielska et al., 2022), fatigue (Becerra-Medina et al., 2022; Peng et al., 2022; Stefanowicz-Bielska et al., 2022), psychological well-being disturbance (Nishihara et al., 2022; Ali et al., 2023), mental and physical illness (Stefanowicz-Bielska et al., 2022), increased occupational risks to personal safety (Huff et al., 2023), and negative emotional reactions (Ménard et al., 2022).
Coping strategies to promote resilience
The scientific evidence obtained shows that during the health crisis, nurses working in hospitals were alert and concerned about protecting themselves from the disease to avoid contaminating both their patients and families (Virani, 2021). It should be noted that society recognized the work of nurses on the front line of care, but they were also stigmatized for the high risk of infection or transmission (Singh and Subedi, 2020). However, nurses demonstrated that they can maintain their health despite a pandemic by mobilizing generalized resistance and resilience resources to prioritize the care required by society (Bucher et al., 2021).
Protective factors to prevent mental health problems
Protective factors or buffers to prevent negative effects on the mental health of nurses in the pandemic work environment (Bartzik et al., 2021) included engaging in stress-reducing activities such as exercise, breathing, yoga, relaxation techniques, and engaging in preferred sports. Additionally, teamwork was promoted, along with dialogue, to avoid crises (Esteban et al., 2021); maintaining a positive, hopeful attitude and behavior (Galehdar et al., 2020), promoting humor, happiness, psychological support from experts as a support for help. Nursing professionals presented symptoms of sleep disorders for which they indicated consuming healthy foods, relaxing beverages, listening to soft music, and avoiding terrifying news that affect their well-being (Naeim et al., 2020).
Regarding hospital care management, continuous support from managers was included in the hospital rooms, as well as psychological support, which included implementing personal protection and safety measures (Tang et al., 2022). In everyday practice, the use of specialized materials for each medical intervention was encouraged (Ribeiro et al., 2022). It is important to highlight that working together and in coordination with the health institution was a priority, as an essential safe environment for nurses to offer and manage care in an integral and humane way was required for the new and critical tasks experienced (Thude et al., 2021). Thus, the activities of supervision, anticipation, cooperation of new learning in the nurse’s work constituted a solid structure of resilience-performance network of the team of nurses during the pandemic (Wang et al., 2023).
Care management had to innovate with new nursing practices and improve teamwork and camaraderie. Regarding the balance between work and home, it was a difficult and painful challenge for nurses who had to isolate themselves mostly to avoid any type of contagion; personal disinfection and the use of personal protective equipment caused havoc in skin injuries, urinary infections, and respiratory problems, among others. This experience nursing professionals went through is a positive development in terms of patient improvements, achievements, and positive aspects that create optimism about the future (Ménard et al., 2022). It is important to generate dialogue tables to impart health policies that adjust to society’s needs in the face of health crises. Additionally, health planners and managers must work on the acquisition of facilities and personal protective equipment for patients and nurses as established protocols, to ensure the safety of those being cared for and caregivers (Tavakol et al., 2023).
The qualities highlighted in nursing professionals
It is important to mention that the value of life was a latent priority in healthcare professionals, especially nursing professionals, who stood out for empathy, emotional intelligence (Lin et al., 2022), spiritual intelligence (Aliabadi et al., 2021), psychological resilience to reduce emotional exhaustion (Lin et al., 2022), and self-efficacy in emotional regulation (Wu et al., 2022).
Lessons learned from the health crisis in nursing professionals’ work
It is essential that nursing education and curricula include continuous training programs related to crisis management for decision-making (Aliabadi et al., 2021; Bucher et al., 2021), effective training that includes evidence-based practice and clinical skills (Calkins et al., 2023). Psychological interventions are recommended to address the mental health issues still unresolved by nurses and help them overcome the impact of the pandemic (Maideen et al., 2022). Providing suitable working conditions, a safe working environment, continuous training for competency development, recognition for their work, and job satisfaction to prevent the talent drain due to high staff turnover in healthcare institutions (Lin et al., 2022) is also suggested. Improving communication skills, providing individual training to prevent moral distress in nursing personnel, and reinforcing an ethical climate (Tavakol et al., 2023) are further recommended. It is crucial to implement systems that monitor and support the mental health of nurses, as well as encourage them to prioritize self-care methods and practices. These measures are essential in preventing conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health-related issues among nurses. (Calkins et al., 2023) should also be put in place. International institutions, governments, and healthcare organizations should develop strategies to support nurses’ efforts to strengthen their professionalism (Lee et al., 2023). While technology can support nursing care, there are limitations in dealing with the high demand for quality care, satisfaction, and human warmth (Kang et al., 2023).
The literature identified gaps that still need to be studied, and it is suggested that further research explore themes such as availability of personal protective equipment, training in prevention measures, healthcare provision, emotional support, and recognition, as well as factors that influenced access to these resources, such as geographical location or work conditions. Stigmatization of nurses who worked during the pandemic in different contexts, as well as stereotypes and prejudices about nursing professionals, are also aspects that need to be investigated.
Future research endeavours should focus on examining the long-term effects of the health crisis on the overall well-being, job satisfaction, and retention of nursing professionals. By delving into these aspects, a more comprehensive understanding of the lasting impact of the crisis on nurses can be obtained. This knowledge can inform strategies and interventions aimed at promoting their well-being, enhancing job satisfaction, and improving retention rates within the nursing workforce.
Further research could also investigate innovative practices and strategies that emerged during the crisis. This includes exploring the use of technology, telehealth, and remote monitoring, as well as examining the effectiveness of new models of care delivery that were implemented during the pandemic.
Finally, conducting comparative studies across different healthcare systems and countries can provide valuable insights into the variations in responses to the health crisis and identify best practices that can be adopted in different contexts.
Download
Export To
metrics
| Views | Downloads | |
|---|---|---|
| F1000Research | - | - |
|
PubMed Central
Data from PMC are received and updated monthly.
|
- | - |
Citations
CITE
how to cite this article
Meneses-La-Riva ME, Fernández-Bedoya VH, Suyo-Vega JA et al. Lessons learned during the health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the work of the nursing professional: A systematic review [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2023, 12:777 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.134625.1)
NOTE: If applicable, it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.
track
receive updates on this article
Track an article to receive email alerts on any updates to this article.
Open Peer Review
Current Reviewer Status:
Key to Reviewer Statuses
VIEW
HIDE
ApprovedThe paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested
Approved with reservations
A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit.
Not approvedFundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions
Version 1
VERSION 1
PUBLISHED 04 Jul 2023
Views
6
How to cite this report:
Marazziti D. Reviewer Report For: Lessons learned during the health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the work of the nursing professional: A systematic review [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2023, 12:777 (https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.147695.r184252)
The direct URL for this report is:
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-184252
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-184252
NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation.
Reviewer Report 16 Sep 2024
Approved
VIEWS 6
The paper is a narrative review highlighting the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on nursing professionals, one of the most hit category of workers.
The authors commented on the available literature and stress the fundamental role of nurses during the ... Continue reading
The authors commented on the available literature and stress the fundamental role of nurses during the ... Continue reading
CITE
HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT
Marazziti D. Reviewer Report For: Lessons learned during the health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the work of the nursing professional: A systematic review [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2023, 12:777 (https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.147695.r184252)
The direct URL for this report is:
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-184252
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-184252
NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.
Views
6
How to cite this report:
de Tantillo L. Reviewer Report For: Lessons learned during the health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the work of the nursing professional: A systematic review [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2023, 12:777 (https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.147695.r252516)
The direct URL for this report is:
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-252516
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-252516
NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation.
Reviewer Report 21 Mar 2024
Lila de Tantillo,
Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Not Approved
VIEWS 6
This is a vitally important topic and I commend the authors for the work they have conducted on this subject. However, in the present form the paper does not appear to be a systematic review, or does not include in
... Continue reading
CITE
HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT
de Tantillo L. Reviewer Report For: Lessons learned during the health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the work of the nursing professional: A systematic review [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2023, 12:777 (https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.147695.r252516)
The direct URL for this report is:
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-252516
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-252516
NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.
Views
15
How to cite this report:
Kamberi F. Reviewer Report For: Lessons learned during the health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the work of the nursing professional: A systematic review [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2023, 12:777 (https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.147695.r225628)
The direct URL for this report is:
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-225628
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-225628
NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation.
Reviewer Report 27 Nov 2023
Fatjona Kamberi,
Scientific Research Centre for Public Health, University of Vlore “Ismail Qemali”, Vlore, Albania
Approved with Reservations
VIEWS 15
This is a valuable systematic article for the nursing profession, including the development and related policies. However, the article has an inconsistency between the introduction part and the objective. The main objective is to review the performance indicators of nursing
... Continue reading
CITE
HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT
Kamberi F. Reviewer Report For: Lessons learned during the health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the work of the nursing professional: A systematic review [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2023, 12:777 (https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.147695.r225628)
The direct URL for this report is:
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-225628
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-777/v1#referee-response-225628
NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.
Comments on this article Comments (0)