A qualitative examination of graduating nurses’ response to the Covid-19 pandemic

Background:Currently, graduating nurses face pandemic-related uncertainty including gaps in risk perception, unexpected Covid-19 moral dilemmas, and distress surrounding personal health risk.Research question/aim/objectives/Method:The purpose of this basic qualitative descriptive study is to describ...

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Authors: Lancaster, Rachelle J (Author) ; Schmitt, Catherine (Author) ; Debish, Melanie (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage 2021
In: Nursing ethics
Year: 2021, Volume: 28, Issue: 7/8, Pages: 1337-1347
Further subjects:B Uncertainty
B Pandemics
B Covid-19
B self-assessment
B code of ethics
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Summary:Background:Currently, graduating nurses face pandemic-related uncertainty including gaps in risk perception, unexpected Covid-19 moral dilemmas, and distress surrounding personal health risk.Research question/aim/objectives/Method:The purpose of this basic qualitative descriptive study is to describe the willingness of graduating nurses to provide care during the Covid-19 pandemic.Participants and research context:One week prior to graduation, students were required to submit a written assignment describing willingness to practice in light of the ongoing pandemic.Ethical considerations:This study was approved by an Institutional Review Board.Findings/results:Eighty-four (n = 84) assignments were used for analysis. Of these, 82% (n = 69) of the graduating nurses describe a willingness to voluntarily care for Covid-19 patients. After summarizing narrative responses, two themes emerged including self-assessment of personal and familial risk and conflicting obligations.Discussion:The assessment of risk to self and family are key in determining whether graduating nurses will care for Covid-19 patients. Conflicting obligations may contribute to stress and uncertainty potentially leading to early burnout.Conclusion:Findings from this study can inform academicians of the need to adequality prepare graduating nurses for Covid-19-associated risks and ethical decision making. Organizations should alter residencies and orientation to support the needs of new nurses.
ISSN:1477-0989
Contains:Enthalten in: Nursing ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0969733021999772