The impact of COVID-19 during the first two years: Giving voice to pediatric nurses

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of pediatric nurses providing direct care in a variety of settings during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design and methods

This was a qualitative descriptive study. Donabedian's Quality Framework for the Evaluation of Healthcare was used to guide the design. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 24 direct care nurses from inpatient and outpatient settings within one healthcare system. Semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were conducted in-person or via a virtual platform from November 2021 through March 2022.

Results

Four major themes were determined across all settings and included: 1) adapting to continuous change, 2) needing effective communication, 3) triggering moral distress, and 4) searching for relief. Fifteen subthemes emerged from the major themes.

Conclusions

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric nurses has been profound. Given the opportunity, pediatric nurses clearly articulated the personal and professional challenges they faced throughout the pandemic, how they navigated them, and how they hope healthcare systems will handle crises in the future.

Practice implications

The future of pediatric nursing depends on the engagement and support for direct care nurses to practice their profession and meet the needs of both patients and families. Leaders and nurses working together are integral to this future. Nurses want leaders to be present and listen, to value their opinions and to engage them in decision-making that impacts their practice. They need leaders at all levels to understand their work environment and to advocate and support their mental health through readily available resources.