Available online 22 August 2022, 103313

To determine the impact of the second surge of the COVID-19 pandemic (October 2020 to June 2021) on mental well-being of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses and factors associated with mental health outcomes.

An online survey was available for Dutch ICU nurses in October 2021, measuring mental health symptoms; anxiety, depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and post-traumatic stress disorder (Impact of Event Scale-6). Additionally, work-related fatigue was measured using the Need For Recovery-11 questionnaire. Previous data from the first surge (March until June 2020) were used to study mental well-being longitudinally in a subgroup of ICU nurses. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with mental health symptoms.

In total, 589 ICU nurses (mean age 44.8 [SD, 11.9], 430 [73.8%] females) participated, of whom 164 also completed the questionnaire in 2020. After the second surge, 225/589 (38.2%) ICU nurses experienced one or more mental health symptoms and 294/589 (49.9%) experienced work-related fatigue. Compared to the first measurement, the occurrence of mental health symptoms remained high (55/164 [33.5%] vs. 63/164 [38.4%], p=0.36) and work-related fatigue was significantly higher (66/164 [40.2%] vs. 83/164 [50.6%], p=0.02). Granted holidays as requested (aOR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.37-0.79), being more confident about the future (aOR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.37-0.93) and a better perceived work-life balance (aOR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.27-0.65) were significantly associated with less symptoms.

The second surge of the COVID-19 pandemic further drained the mental reserves of ICU nurses, resulting in more work-related fatigue.

Intensive Care Unit

Critical Care Nursing

COVID-19

Mental Health

Depression

Anxiety

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Well-being

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.