Development of a resource to help nurses with self-care and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic

Shears, Stephen (2020) Development of a resource to help nurses with self-care and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Practicum Report. Memorial University of Newfoundland. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Background: Public Health Nurses continue to provide care for communities through the course of the COVID19 pandemic. With the increases in workload and uncertainty resulting from pandemic nursing, burnout becomes a serious concern and may require resources and intervention to ensure the continued wellbeing of nurses. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to assess the impacts of pandemic nursing on public health nurses’ perception of burnout and to subsequently develop an e-resource to help support nurses through education, self-care, and peer support. Methods: An integrative literature review and consultation with front-line public health nurses and management were completed. The literature review and consultation findings were then employed in developing an evidence-informed resource to help prevent and mitigate the impacts of burnout. Results: The existing literature strongly supports that nursing is a profession whose members can be adversely impacted by burnout and this is exasperated in pandemic working conditions. Consultations supported these findings and noted that nurses were open to the prospect of being provided with a resource to help them better manage burnout in themselves and their peers. An e-learning module was developed that is meant to educate nurses on causes of burnout and the strategies which can be employed to mitigate it. The module meant to be used in conjunction with a daily virtual peer support meeting which will strive to assist nurses in caring for themselves and one another. Conclusion: Burnout is a real and present concern for nurses working through the COVID19 pandemic. The evidence supported the development of a resource, comprised of an e-learning module and peer support strategy.

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