Disciplines
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing | Public Health and Community Nursing
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted many different populations around the world. The early stages of the pandemic included personal protective equipment shortages, increasing patient admissions, and exacerbated staffing ratios. With cases increasing and so much unknown about the disease, these stressors eventually took a toll on healthcare workers, especially registered nurses.
Objectives
To examine evidence in published literature on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of nurses and their access to mental health resources.
Methods
In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systemic search for the literature in Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, MEDLINE, and ProQuest for relevant peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2022. Search terms that were used in different combinations included: nursing shortage, nurse mental health, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results
The findings indicated that many nurses on the front line became burnt out due to the multiple unknowns of the disease and increasing patient loads during the pandemic. Furthermore, the lack of mental support and resources affected the mental health of nurses; however, nurses that engaged in healthy lifestyles showed an improved mental state.
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a large toll on the mental well-being of nurses due to multiple stressors being added to a nurse’s current workload. Increasing awareness about the mental health of nurses and improving the workplace environment could help improve not only the well-being of nurses but also increase the quality of patient care.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Nursing
Loading...
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Modupe Adewuyi
Additional Faculty
NA
Mental Health in Registered Nurses: Comparison of the Use VS Underuse of Mental Health Resources
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted many different populations around the world. The early stages of the pandemic included personal protective equipment shortages, increasing patient admissions, and exacerbated staffing ratios. With cases increasing and so much unknown about the disease, these stressors eventually took a toll on healthcare workers, especially registered nurses.
Objectives
To examine evidence in published literature on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of nurses and their access to mental health resources.
Methods
In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systemic search for the literature in Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, MEDLINE, and ProQuest for relevant peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2022. Search terms that were used in different combinations included: nursing shortage, nurse mental health, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results
The findings indicated that many nurses on the front line became burnt out due to the multiple unknowns of the disease and increasing patient loads during the pandemic. Furthermore, the lack of mental support and resources affected the mental health of nurses; however, nurses that engaged in healthy lifestyles showed an improved mental state.
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a large toll on the mental well-being of nurses due to multiple stressors being added to a nurse’s current workload. Increasing awareness about the mental health of nurses and improving the workplace environment could help improve not only the well-being of nurses but also increase the quality of patient care.