Nurses’ Experiences of the Caring Role during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Research

Aims. To synthesize the evidence on nurses’ experiences of their caring role during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify emerging concepts that have affected nurses within the caring role in relation to (a) their professional lives and (b) their personal lives. Background. The concept of caring is central to the science and art of nursing practice, and fulfilment of the caring role is fundamental to the profession. The COVID-19 pandemic imposed unprecedented change globally transforming the caring role of the nurse. The WHO highlights that a well-supported workforce is paramount to emergency preparedness; therefore, understanding the experiences of the nurse’s caring role during the COVID-19 crisis is paramount to practice in future healthcare crises. Methods. A scoping review. Data Sources. Studies published between January 2020 and November 2023 were identified from the following databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Coronavirus Database, PUBMED, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, Scopus, Web of Science, and SocINDEX. Reporting Method. The scoping review adhered to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Results. The search identified 1,347 studies, subsequent review of title and abstract, resulted in 117 full-text papers for further eligibility screening, with a total of 52 studies being included in the scoping review. Findings were grouped thematically using the Braun and Clarke (2006) approach. The five distinctive themes that emerged were (a) emotional turmoil, (b) erosion of care, (c) relationships and solidarity, (d) expansion of role, and (e) professional growth. Conclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an evolutionary shift in the caring role of the nurse, on a trajectory from emotional turmoil to professional growth. The process followed a theoretical framework of transformative learning that could support nurses’ capability and preparedness in their caring role for future inevitable extreme events and crisis in healthcare. Implications for Nursing Management. Mapping current knowledge of the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis from a nurse’s professional and personal perspective purposefully aims to highlight gaps for future research, education, and policy and is paramount to emergency preparedness and a well-supported workforce in future healthcare crisis.