Abstract / Description of output
Background: The sudden surge in critical care admissions at the outset, and subsequent waves, of the pandemic created a need for additional nursing workforce in critical care. This was achieved by the rapid redeployment of nurses from other specialties (Juan et al, 2022).
Aims: To explore the impact on and experiences of nurses redeployed into critical care during the pandemic. Methods: A UK-wide mixed methods study was undertaken with critical care (CCNs) and redeployed nurses (RDNs), underpinned by a validated model of occupational stress; the Job-Demand Resources Model (Bakker et al, 2014). The model informed the design of a survey (completed by 200 RDNs) and the content of in-depth interviews (with 16 RDN participants).
Results: Based on the survey data, 75% of RDNs reached the threshold for psychological distress; approximately 50% reported burnout and/or emotional exhaustion and a third reported clinically concerning PTSD symptoms, all these scores were similar to CCNs. Job demands increased (e.g. emotional load and physical effort) and job resources reduced (e.g. staffing). The interviews illuminated widely divergent experiences, which were in- fluenced by overarching systemic and structural factors, including training and orientation, management and hospital administrative support, as well as social factors, including a sense of camaraderie and team cohesion. Negative experiences included a lack of individual recognition, acknowledgement and appreciation. Positive experiences included personal and professional satisfaction, team cohesion, and feeling competent and confi- dent within the role.
Discussion: There was wide individual variation in experiences of being redeployed. For some the experience was distressing, adversely impacting their health and well-being.
Conclusion: The development of a well-defined redeployment process and support strategy could enhance RDNs’ well-being and create a more adaptive workforce.
References
Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E. E. & Sanz-Vergel, A. I. 2014. ‘Burnout and work engagement: the JD-R approach’, Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 1, 389.
Vera San Juan, N, Clark, SE, Camilleri, M, Jeans, JP, Monkhouse, A, Chisnall, G & Vindrola-Padros, C 2022, ‘Train- ing and redeployment of healthcare workers to intensive care units (ICUs) during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review’, BMJ Open, vol. 12, no. 1, e050038, pp. e050038. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050038
Aims: To explore the impact on and experiences of nurses redeployed into critical care during the pandemic. Methods: A UK-wide mixed methods study was undertaken with critical care (CCNs) and redeployed nurses (RDNs), underpinned by a validated model of occupational stress; the Job-Demand Resources Model (Bakker et al, 2014). The model informed the design of a survey (completed by 200 RDNs) and the content of in-depth interviews (with 16 RDN participants).
Results: Based on the survey data, 75% of RDNs reached the threshold for psychological distress; approximately 50% reported burnout and/or emotional exhaustion and a third reported clinically concerning PTSD symptoms, all these scores were similar to CCNs. Job demands increased (e.g. emotional load and physical effort) and job resources reduced (e.g. staffing). The interviews illuminated widely divergent experiences, which were in- fluenced by overarching systemic and structural factors, including training and orientation, management and hospital administrative support, as well as social factors, including a sense of camaraderie and team cohesion. Negative experiences included a lack of individual recognition, acknowledgement and appreciation. Positive experiences included personal and professional satisfaction, team cohesion, and feeling competent and confi- dent within the role.
Discussion: There was wide individual variation in experiences of being redeployed. For some the experience was distressing, adversely impacting their health and well-being.
Conclusion: The development of a well-defined redeployment process and support strategy could enhance RDNs’ well-being and create a more adaptive workforce.
References
Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E. E. & Sanz-Vergel, A. I. 2014. ‘Burnout and work engagement: the JD-R approach’, Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 1, 389.
Vera San Juan, N, Clark, SE, Camilleri, M, Jeans, JP, Monkhouse, A, Chisnall, G & Vindrola-Padros, C 2022, ‘Train- ing and redeployment of healthcare workers to intensive care units (ICUs) during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review’, BMJ Open, vol. 12, no. 1, e050038, pp. e050038. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050038
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 98 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Sept 2023 |
| Event | RCN Annual International Nursing Research Conference - Edinburgh, United Kingdom Duration: 1 Jan 2016 → … |
Conference
| Conference | RCN Annual International Nursing Research Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Edinburgh |
| Period | 1/01/16 → … |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Covid-19
- nursing
- qualitative