Journal
NURSING OUTLOOK
Volume 70, Issue 1, Pages 81-88Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2021.07.009
Keywords
Nursing; Health care providers; Mental health; Pandemics; COVID-19
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Columbia University School of Nursing organized support circles via Zoom to address the mental/emotional toll faced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of the sessions revealed major themes of concern, including coping mechanisms, patient suffering and mortality, feelings of helplessness, frustration with the pandemic response, and disconnection from the world.
Background: Nurses are the majority of the world's health work force and the frontline responders during pandemics. The mental/emotional toll can be pro-found if it is not identified and treated. Purpose: In March 2020, with New York City as the epicenter of the COVID-19 pan-demic in the United States, Columbia University School of Nursing organized sup-port circles for faculty and students providing clinical care as a healing method to address trauma. Methods: Columbia University School of Nursing adapted guidelines and con-ducted Circles of Care to share, listen, and acknowledge the new challenges for nurses via Zoom. Analysis of these sessions produced major themes of concern for nurses. Findings: Between March 31 and May 31, 2020, we facilitated 77 sessions with 636 attendees. Eight major themes emerged: coping mechanisms, patients suffering and dying, feelings of helplessness, frustration with COVID-19 response, silver lining, dis-connection from the world, the thread that holds nurses together, and exhaustion. Discussion: This report offers insight into the mental/emotional outcomes of being on the frontlines. Addressing these issues is essential for the well-being of nurses and all health care providers for an effective pandemic response.
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