ArticleBMC nursing2025
Exposure to distressing situations among registered nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.
Article in BMC nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Enduring Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Physicians in Pakistan: A Mixed-Methods Study.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated distressing situations among healthcare professionals, due to resource limitations and complex patient care challenges. RESEARCH
objectivesThe research aims to explore the frequency of RNs' exposure to distressing situations across various care settings during the pandemic and assess the association between this exposure and: (1) stress of conscience, (2) intentions to leave the profession, (3) job satisfaction, and (4) self-rated health in the late phase of the pandemic. In addition, the aim was to describe other common situations they encountered during the pandemic. RESEARCH
designA cross-sectional multi-method study was conducted with participants recruited from a national cohort of Registered Nurses (RNs) between October 2021 and January 2022. In total, 3,958 individuals met the eligibility criteria, with 2,237 participants (56.5%) responding to the survey. Among these respondents, 1,881 answered questions about distressing situations, and 239 shared open-ended responses about their experiences.
resultsThe results showed that during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, between 24% and 70% of RNs encountered distressing situations on a weekly basis or more often. Over 70% reported difficulties in communication due to personal protective equipment. Additionally, just over 40% of RNs reported working in situations lacking clear guidelines and facing prioritization challenges. RNs exposed to these distressing situations were frequently nearly twice as likely to experience stress of conscience (44% vs. 21%, [OR] = 2.87) and showed a stronger intention to leave the profession (25% vs. 14%, [OR] = 1.98). Moreover, they reported lower job satisfaction (85% vs. 92%, [OR] = 0.50) and poorer self-rated health (34% vs. 50%, [OR] = 0.52) compared to their counterparts with less exposure. In addition, RNs experienced a lack of support, understaffing, and working beyond their expertise, leading to emotional and physical exhaustion. They felt inadequate due to overwhelming workloads and limited recovery time.
conclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted RNs, underscoring the need for strong organizational support and leadership. Nurses require guidance from leaders and institutions to manage distress and ethical challenges effectively. Future strategies should prioritize adequate staffing, skill development, teamwork, mental health resources, and transparent communication to support nurses' wellbeing and recovery, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care.
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