Nurses' perceptions of co-worker support in the workplace: Qualitative research

Predictors of nurses' work-related mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a paired follow-up study

Nurses are essential pillars of society, providing care for the sick. It is crucial for society to ensure that nurses have favorable working conditions, as they face a heightened risk of negative psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional exhaustion due to the demanding nature of their work. The strain on healthcare staff, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has underscored these challenges. This study aimed to identify predictors of work-related mental health issues in nurses' work environments. In 2017, a questionnaire was distributed to 9,219 Swedish nurses, with 4,962 responses received. The questionnaire was redistributed during the pandemic in 2020, and 3,107 nurses responded. However, due to missing data and some nurses previously reporting a mental health diagnosis, only 2,030 questionnaires were included in the study. Among these, 143 nurses reported experiencing work-related mental health problems. The data was analyzed by logistic regression analysis, and 6 out of the 24 statements investigated were statistically significant (p < 0.05), i.e., there was a longitudinal association between nurses' work situation and their mental health problems. The six statements were "I do not feel I get enough rest/recuperation between work shifts", "The work pace in my daily work is too high", "I do not feel I have enough support from my coworkers", "I do not experience joy in my daily work", "I do not feel like my daily work is meaningful", and "I do not get enough opportunities at work to utilize my skills and knowledge".

Conclusions

This study revealed that work pace, recovery, support from colleagues, joy, meaningfulness, and development opportunities at work are particularly important for nurses' mental health. Actions in those areas are needed for nurses to have a sustainable work situation.

The Effect of Emotional Coworker Support on Work Engagement Among Pediatric Health Care Providers: The Mediator Role of Emotional Regulation

BACKGROUND

Previous findings demonstrated that healthcare workers with a high level of social support are likely to engage in their work. Healthcare workers are not only engaged in the physical problems of their patients but also in their emotional difficulties. Pediatric professionals must express and regulate their own emotions during their interactions with young patients and their families.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of coworkers' emotional support on healthcare workers' work engagement in pediatric healthcare settings and the emotional regulation mechanisms by which emotional coworker support leads to work engagement.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was distributed in a Belgian pediatric hospital between October 2021 and December 2021. The sample consisted of 274 healthcare workers who were in direct contact with patients. Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of measures of coworker emotional support, work engagement, emotional suppression, and cognitive reevaluation.

RESULTS

Emotional suppression partially mediated the effects of perceived emotional coworker support on work engagement. Coworkers' emotional support fosters work engagement by reducing the negative effects of emotional suppression. Moreover, cognitive evaluation was positively associated with work engagement.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide insight into the influence of perceived emotional coworkers, emotional suppression, and cognitive reevaluation on work engagement.

"Patient dignity can be ensured by providing adequate health care": A phenomenological analysis on survival strategies of military nurses

Background

The devastating COVID-19 outbreak has considerably influenced basic human healthcare needs. Due to healthcare organizational limitations, workload, and a shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly military nurses in developing countries, faced critical situations in dealing with COVID-19 patients. However, little is known about the survival strategies military nurses used while caring for coronavirus-infected patients.

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the survival strategies that inspired military nurses to manage COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh.

Methods

This study employed the phenomenology of practice framework developed by Max van Manen. Fourteen military nurses were purposefully selected to participate in this study. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted individually from January to February 2023 in three divisional (Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet) COVID-19 dedicated military hospitals in Bangladesh. The study was reported using the COREQ checklist. Audio-video sessions of discussions were recorded, analyzed, and transcribed verbatim. Dataset analysis was performed using thematic analysis.

Results

Eight themes were developed: (i) Nurses' self-strategies; (ii) colleagues' strategies; (iii) Nurse managers' strategies; (iv) Feelings about nursing ethical values; (v) Employers' strategies; (vi) Government strategies; (vii) Family members' strategies; (viii) Strategies of social people.

Conclusions

The study's findings would inspire healthcare professionals to use various survival strategies when facing critical clinical situations. Additionally, this study encourages nurses to develop survival skills to avoid depression, fear, and anxiety and to learn how to deal with work-related stress situations.

Clinical nurse adherence to professional ethics: A grounded theory

BACKGROUND

Professional ethics is the regulation and discipline of nurses' daily nursing work. Nurses often encounter various ethical challenges and problems in their clinical work, but there are few studies on nurses' adherence to professional ethics.

RESEARCH AIM

An analysis of nursing adherence to nursing ethics from the perspective of clinical nurses in the Chinese public health system.

RESEARCH DESIGN

This study adopts the grounded theory approach proposed by Strauss and Corbin.

PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT

Between July 2021 and January 2022, Clinical nurses were recruited for online video interviews using purposive and theoretical sampling methods in seven hospitals in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Henan, Guangdong, and Fujian, China. Data analysis was conducted using Strauss and Corbin's coding approach.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Sanming First Hospital (MingYiLun 71/2021).

FINDINGS

A total of 27 participants were included. A theoretical model of nursing staff adherence to professional ethics was constructed. The main core was adherence to professional ethics and the other cores were (1) causal conditions: professional ethics code, individual conscience; (2) intervening conditions: personal growth, social support system, matching career compensation, prediction of adverse consequences; (3) action strategies: sticking to professional values, self-regulation, flexible response, post-event improvement; and (4) outcomes: self-harmony, reduced medical disputes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides an interpretive understanding of why clinical nurses adhere to professional ethics in China and describes the challenges and issues posed by nurses' use of strategies to cope with ethical adversity. The findings can be used to develop future complex studies.

The Impact of Psychological Capital and Workplace Social Support on Pediatric Oncology Nurses' Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptomology

Introduction: Work-related post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop in nurses. Pediatric oncology nursing is a potentially high-risk subspecialty for PTSD secondary to the nature of the work. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of PTSD symptomology and explore relationships between nurse psychological capital, workplace social supports, and PTSD symptomology in pediatric oncology nurses. Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional correlational survey design. Pediatric oncology nurses working in direct patient care in the United States completed a demographics questionnaire, Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), Coworker Support Scale, Supervisor Support Scale, and the Post traumatic Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (PCL-5). Descriptive and inferential statistics, including logistic regression models, were used to analyze data. A cutoff score of ≥31 on the PCL-5 was used to determine the prevalence of PTSD symptomology. Results: The sample included 424 nurses. The prevalence of PTSD symptomology was 13.4%. Work setting (inpatient), decreased coworker and leadership social support, and psychological capital were independently associated with PTSD symptomology. After controlling for covariates, only psychological capital was associated with PTSD symptomology. For a 1 unit decrease in PCQ score, pediatric oncology nurses were 4.25 times more likely to have PTSD symptomology. Discussion: PTSD prevalence rates in pediatric oncology nurses are aligned with rates found in other nursing specialties. Nurse psychological capital may play a protective role against PTSD symptomology. Implications for Future Research: Findings support PTSD as a serious workplace concern for nurses. Workplace programs that foster nurses' psychological capabilities should be considered to protect against the development of PTSD symptomology.

"This Isn't Just Busy, This is Scary": Stress, Social Support, and Coping Experiences of Frontline Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Despite having previous experience and extensive trauma training, the COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for nurses working in hospital settings. During the pandemic, nurses struggle to care for patients and protect themselves from infection, while navigating ongoing organizational changes. Guided by prior literature on social support and coping, this study explores nurses' experiences of coping with stress while treating COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 active staff nurses working in hospitals and one licensed practical nurse (LPN) at a rehabilitation center who treated COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. An inductive thematic analysis was employed to analyze those data, and three overarching themes emerged: (1) nurses' unique experiences in the [COVID-19] trenches, (2) nobody else understands, and (3) coping with stress together. Practically, this study is heuristic and generates an increased understanding of professional communication during times of healthcare crises, illuminating the need to enhance communication skills for both staff nurses and management. This study also extends our understanding of communal coping in the context of healthcare organizations.

Lived Experiences of Nurses in the Care of Patients with COVID-19: A Study of Hermeneutic Phenomenology

BACKGROUND

Nurses are at the forefront of caring for patients with COVID-19 and face a life-threatening risk to perform their duties. The complexity of disease conditions such as emerging disease may interfere with good nursing care and holistic care. The aim of this study is to reveal the lived experiences of nurses in the care of patients with COVID-19.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This qualitative study was conducted in Khoy, Iran from March 2020 to May 2020. Fourteen nurses underwent in-depth semi-structured interviews at COVID-19 Central Hospital. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Diekelmann's hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to analyze and interpret the data. MAXQDA software version 2007 was used to manage and organize the data.

RESULTS

After extensive analysis and reflection, four main themes emerged, including staying in an ethical dilemma, emotional turmoil, response to professional commitments, and seeking help.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study provided basic information about the lived experiences of nurses in different dimensions. Nursing managers need to be aware of these needs and expectations and provide a variety of programs and strategies not only to support nurses but also to ensure the quality of patient care.