To describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intensive care nurses personal and professional well-being.

A descriptive, qualitative design was used. Two nurse researchers conducted one-on-one interviews via Zoom or TEAMS using a semi-structured interview guide.

Thirteen nurses who were working in an intensive care unit in the United States participated in the study. A convenience sample of nurses who completed a survey in the larger parent study provided an email and were contacted by the research team to participate in interviews to discuss their experiences.

An inductive approach to content analysis was used to develop categories.

Five major categories emerged from the interviews: (1) We are not heroes, (2) inadequate support, (3) helplessness, (4) exhaustion, and (5) Nurses the second victim.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a physical and mental health toll on intensive care nurses. The impact of the pandemic on personal and professional well-being has serious implications for retaining and expanding the nursing workforce.

This work highlights the importance for bedside nurses to advocate for systemic change to improve the work environment. It is imperative for nurses to have effective training including evidence-based practice and clinical skills. There needs to be systems in place to monitor and support nurses’ mental health and encourage bedside nurses to use self-care methods and practices to prevent anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and burnout.

COVID-19 pandemic

Intensive care nurses

Experiences

Qualitative research

Workforce shortage

© 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd.