Posted: November 11th, 2023

Role of Nurses in Management of COVID-19

Role of Nurses in Management of COVID-19

The current COVID-19 pandemic is one of the worst in the history of epidemics. This global health crisis has challenged healthcare systems worldwide, pushing them to their limits and beyond. As the virus continues to spread across the globe, with more infections and deaths being recorded every day, nurses are in the front line of the response team battling to keep many healthcare systems functional. Their role has been crucial in managing patient care, implementing infection control measures, and providing emotional support to both patients and their families.

Unfortunately, many health care systems, especially in the developing nations, lack adequate equipment and have a significant shortage of the nursing workforce to keep up with the increasing rate of Coronavirus infections. This shortage has been exacerbated by the pandemic, highlighting the need for increased investment in nursing education and recruitment. In the battle against coronavirus, nurses are pulling long shifts, sometimes even double shifts, grappling with fatigue and trauma while still putting themselves and their immediate families at the risk of infection especially those working in intensive care units and those involved directly with COVID-19 patients. The psychological toll on nurses has been significant, with studies showing increased burnout and reduced job satisfaction among healthcare workers (Galanis et al., 2023).

According to reports, at least 20% of the health care workforce in Italy and 14% in Spain have been infected when caring for coronavirus patients. These statistics underscore the high risk that healthcare workers, particularly nurses, face in their daily duties during a pandemic. Nursing is generally a respected and trusted profession. This trust has been further solidified during the pandemic, with nurses often being hailed as heroes for their dedication and sacrifice.

Nurses act as mediators between patients and doctors. Their role in communication and patient advocacy has become even more critical during the COVID-19 crisis, especially in situations where patients are isolated from their families. When patients seek health care services, they want someone who can listen and care for them, something that most physicians don’t either have the time or are not trained to do. Nurses chip in to fill this gap, ensuring that the COVID-19 patients are cared for. With the restricted visitations in the covid-19 wards, nurses are bridging the communication between the patients and their family members. This emotional support provided by nurses has been a crucial aspect of patient care during the pandemic, often making a significant difference in patients’ mental well-being and recovery.

In May this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2020 to be “the year of Nurse and the Midwife” in honor of the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, a modern nursing founder. This declaration took on new significance as the pandemic unfolded, highlighting the essential role of nurses in global health. This fits in the sense that it is the year in which the vital role that our nurses play in the health care system has been recognized. The recognition of nurses’ contributions has continued beyond 2020, with ongoing efforts to support and empower the nursing workforce.

Nurses make up almost 60% of all health care professionals. This statistic underscores the critical importance of nurses in healthcare delivery and the need to prioritize their well-being and professional development. But, sadly, there is a shortage of nearly 6 million nurses globally which puts more stress on the existing nursing workforce to adequately care for the growing population and even worse in the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic has further strained this already stretched workforce, leading to increased job burnout and reduced job satisfaction among nurses (Aloweni et al., 2022).

As we battle the coronavirus pandemic, nurses remain the most pivotal assets through the crisis. Their role extends beyond direct patient care to include leadership in healthcare policy, education, and research. Nurses, in the United States and all over the world, have never dealt with anything of such magnitude in their careers. This unprecedented situation has led to rapid adaptations in nursing practice, including the increased use of telehealth and home healthcare services (NurseJournal, 2023).

Advancement in health care and technology can only be effective due to the expertise, care and the sacrifice of our nurses. The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of new technologies in healthcare, with nurses playing a key role in implementing and utilizing these innovations to improve patient care. The contribution of nurses in crisis mitigation dates back to the days of Nightingale and will continue being at the forefront during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. As we move forward, the lessons learned from this crisis will undoubtedly shape the future of nursing education, practice, and policy.

Additional References:

Aloweni, F., Teh, A., Tan, S. B., & Ang, S. Y. (2022). A year after COVID‐19: Its impact on nurses’ psychological well‐being, job satisfaction, and intention to stay. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(7), 2155-2164. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9538098/

Galanis, P., Vraka, I., Fragkou, D., Bilali, A., & Kaitelidou, D. (2023). Increased Job Burnout and Reduced Job Satisfaction for Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Healthcare, 11(15), 2190. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10443294/

Order | Check Discount

Tags: COVID-19 Nursing Management, Healthcare Workforce Challenges, Nurse Burnout, Pandemic Nursing Roles