Concerns and Experiences of the Nurses Caring for the Patients Diagnosed
with Covid-19 During the First Wave of Covid-19
Abstract
Background: Health professionals who have direct contact with patients,
provide primary care, and have the longest contact time are nurses. The
pandemic caused by Covid-19, a virus with high mortality, high spreading
rate, and no precise treatment, causes anxiety and fear in nurses. This
study aimed to evaluate the anxiety and experience of the nurses who
care for patients diagnosed with Covid-19. Material and Methods: This
study was carried out based on cross-sectional research principles. The
study was conducted between April 1 and May 30, 2020, with 327 nurses
providing care to the hospitalized patients diagnosed with Covid-19.
Results: The nurses stated that 70.6% of them had increased anxiety,
and 51.1% of the nurses indicated that they were concerned about
transmitting this disease to themselves while giving care to the patient
diagnosed with Covid-19. Approximately half of the nurses (49.5%)
stated that they needed psychological support. Conclusion: Nursing is a
profession with long working hours, very stressful working environment,
work in high-risk environments due to potential risk factors (bacteria,
virus and radiation) and the shift system in hospitals. Having long
working hours is a risky situation for mental health. Mental health
problems are more common in nurse and thus, they need psychological
support. Similarly, our study revealed that the nurses who work long
hours, have night shift and experience changes in sleep patterns need
psychological support. Nurses experience problems such as impaired sleep
patterns, increased anxiety levels, and increased fear and anxiety about
transmitting the virus to themselves, their families, loved ones,
friends, and colleagues. To ensure that nurses cope with these problems
and work efficiently during the Covid-19 pandemic process.