Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Health of Nursing Staff: Qualitative Research

Purpose: To explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health of the members of the nursing team and to identify the coping measures adopted by them. Methods: This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. The study involved 42 Brazilian nursing professionals. Data were collected between June and July 2022 and analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method. Results: Three themes emerged: (I) Effects of the pandemic on the health of nursing professionals, (II) Major difficulties faced by nursing professionals during the pandemic, and (III) Protection measures adopted by nursing professionals during the pandemic. Also, eleven sub-themes were identified. Nursing professionals participating in this study reported that the COVID-19 pandemic affected their physical, psychological/mental, social, and spiritual health. Lack of material and human resources, increased demand and professional devaluation, social distancing, facing death, and lack of information and social commitment were cited as the main problems faced by the participants. Nursing professionals resorted to different measures to protect their health. Conclusion: The health of nursing staff was enormously impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was determined that nursing professionals and health institutions need to be better prepared to face crises. Continuing education should be developed to better train nursing staff for future outbreaks. Health administrators have key roles in protecting the physical and psychosocial health of healthcare workers by providing sufficient and quality protective personal equipment, training in occupational health, and developing psychosocial support programs.