Nurses' Absenteeism and Willingness to Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to examine the later stages of the current pandemic and the reasons for nurses' absenteeism for possible pandemics in the future and provide information to nurse managers about the problems experienced. Method: The research was conducted as a cross-sectional and descriptive type. The sample of the research was composed of 355 nurses. The data was collected from 9-30 December 2020. Ethics committee approval was obtained for the study. Results: The study determined that nurses were absent for more than ten days (46.76%) during the pandemic, nurses had problems in units due to absenteeism (90.42%), and the lack of personnel in the study was eliminated by working overtime (47.85%). The most common reason for absenteeism is; anxiety about exposing family members to COVID-19 (18.31%), excessive stress (13.99%), and workload (12.76%), which have been expressed as anxiety/illness. The most accepted criteria for being willing to work during the pandemic period are; guaranteeing treatment and care in case of illness (79.72%), premium payment (79.44%), and organizing accommodation for nurses due to the risk of contamination (75.77%). Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that absenteeism during the pandemic period caused other employees to work overtime. It is important to know the reasons for absenteeism and keep the concerns at an acceptable level to provide an effective workforce in the fight against the new unknown virus. Therefore, understanding nurses' willingness is critical in eliminating the nursing workforce shortage.

Keywords

• covid 19
• pandemic
• absenteeism
• workforce
• nursing