Nurses' well‐being during the coronavirus (2019) pandemic: A longitudinal mixed‐methods study

Abstract

Abstract Aim To determine prevalence, predictors and change over time of nurses' and student nurses' mental health and well‐being, and explore nurses' perceptions, barriers and enablers of well‐being. Design Longitudinal mixed‐methods survey. Methods Forty‐nine students and registered nurses participated from Victoria, Australia. Data were collected from December 2019 to July 2020. Validated psychometrics and free‐text response questions were employed. Analysis used latent growth curve modelling, Pearson product‐moment correlations and thematic analysis. Results A strong positive correlation was found between self‐determination and work well‐being, and a strong negative correlation between work well‐being and flight risk. Several moderate relationships were found; a moderate positive correlation between work well‐being and nurse manager ability, leadership and support, and a moderate negative correlation between burnout and staffing and resource adequacy. Collegial nurse–physician relationships deteriorated. Three themes, physical health, psychological well‐being and social connection, were identified as important for nurses' well‐being.

Keywords

• COVID‐19
• mental health
• nurses
• pandemics
• well‐being
• work