Growing through crisis: Qualitative nursing perspectives of posttraumatic growth after the pandemic

BackgroundNurses working through the COVID-19 pandemic experienced moral, ethical, and psychological trauma. Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) is an increasingly recognized recovery phenomena following highly traumatic circumstances. Few qualitative studies explore PTG in nurses during the pandemic.Research aimThis study investigated (1) the context and nature of trauma experienced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) nurses' responses to these traumatic experiences, and (3) whether the core dimensions of posttraumatic growth were present or absent, including how these dimensions manifested in nurses' experiences.Research design and methodsUsing a qualitative descriptive design, one-on-one interviews were conducted with participants using an open-ended interview guide informed by the PTG conceptual model.Participants and research context17 clinical nurses from two campuses within a single academic medical center network in New York City were interviewed.Ethical ConsiderationsThis study was conducted with ethical approval (IRB protocol #23-04025921) from the Weill Cornell Medicine IRB, and informed verbal consent was obtained prior to each interview.FindingsFollowing inductive analysis, three emergent themes were identified: (1) Trauma Experienced; (2) Post Trauma Period; and (3) Enduring Adaptations Following Trauma. Following deductive analysis, four of the five PTG model dimensions were endorsed by participants: Appreciation for Life; New Possibilities; Relating to Others; Personal Strength. No participants identified spiritual growth as an outcome of their experience working through the pandemic.ConclusionsNurses that worked through the pandemic experienced high psychological, moral and ethical stress. Despite the highly challenging and traumatic circumstances, nurses demonstrated remarkable capacity for growth through an evolved appreciation for life and professional purpose. Two primary protective factors emerged including the clinical family and active interdisciplinary engagement.