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Lessons from Italian front‐line nurses' experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative descriptive study
Author(s) -
Catania Gianluca,
Zanini Milko,
Hayter Mark,
Timmins Fiona,
Dasso Nicoletta,
Ottonello Giulia,
Aleo Giuseppe,
Sasso Loredana,
Bagnasco Annamaria
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.13194
Subject(s) - personal protective equipment , nursing , thematic analysis , pandemic , nursing management , workforce , front line , medicine , qualitative research , covid-19 , psychology , sociology , political science , social science , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
Abstract Aim To explore nursing management issues within COVID‐19 narratives of Italian front‐line nurses. Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has dramatically affected health systems and professionals worldwide. Italian nurses have key messages for nursing leaders following their acute experiences in the pandemic. Method A descriptive qualitative study with thematic analysis. Results Twenty‐three testimonies from clinical nurses were analysed. Six macrothemes were identified as follows: organisational and logistic change; leadership models adopted to manage the emergency; changes in nursing approaches; personal protective equipment issues; physical and psychological impact on nurses; and team value/spirit. Conclusions Our testimonies highlighted the huge impact of COVID‐19 on the Italian nursing workforce, especially in terms of the high risks associated with caring for COVID‐19 patients, exacerbated by the shortage of appropriate personal protective equipment. Nurses had to care for their colleagues and live separately from their families to avoid infecting them, revealing nurses' resilience and the important role of effective and sensitive management. Implications for Nursing Management Nurse managers must be prepared for the impact of pandemics on staff and need to ensure availability and replacement of quality personal protective equipment, rehearse strategies for communicating with patients while wearing personal protective equipment and establish protocols for communicating with relatives.