Nurseʼs mental health during 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.