Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41188951›Full record

ArticleNursing open2025

Alone on an Island: Experiences and Needs of Intensive Care Unit Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Focused Ethnography.

Teenu Xavier, Beverly M Hittle, Liliana Rojas Guyler, Rebecca C Lee

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nursing open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Teenu XavierSchool of Nursing, College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virgnia, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4665-2528
Beverly M HittleCollege of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Liliana Rojas GuylerCollege of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Rebecca C LeeCollege of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Funding

LCenter for Clinical and Translational Science and TrainingUL1TR001425 · NCATS · UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI · PI MEINZEN-DERR, JAREEN, STRAWN, JEFFREY ROBERT · 2015 to 2024
$37.5M
NCATS NIH HHS UL1 TR001425NIH HHSUniversity of Cincinnati
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo understand the needs and experiences of ICU nurses during COVID-19.

designA qualitative approach utilising focused ethnography was employed in this study.

methodsNurses working in adult ICUs and who had taken care of COVID-19 patients during the pandemic were recruited using purposive sampling. Data collection took place through semi-structured interviews conducted online via Zoom, and demographic data was collected using a REDCap survey. Interviews were analysed using a systematic approach as proposed by Roper and Shapira.

resultsThree overarching themes were identified: (a) navigating constantly changing landscape; (b) facing unique challenges and stressors and (c) experiencing the impact of COVID-19. The changes included changes in policies, patient care and environment. ICU nurses faced numerous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic including shortages, embracing the unknown and communication challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted ICU nurses, both emotionally and physically, and the emotional toll of caring for them was stressful and challenging for them.

conclusionThe study findings highlight the importance of addressing ICU nurses' needs and providing support to promote their well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Healthcare organisations should develop policies and guidelines that are evidence-based and prioritise the safety of patients and healthcare workers. The results of this study can be used to inform policies and practices aimed at supporting the mental and emotional well-being of healthcare workers, particularly those in high-stress environments such as the ICU. IMPACT: The study investigated the experiences and needs of ICU nurses and found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the physical, mental and emotional health of these nurses. The findings of this study will have an impact on healthcare institutions, nursing organisations, public health authorities, nursing education and the research community. It has the potential to drive positive changes in the support and care provided to ICU nurses, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for both nurses and patients during health emergencies. REPORTING

methodThe authors have adhered to the standards for reporting qualitative research guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: ICU nurses were interviewed for the data collection of the study.

Indexed as

COVID-19Critical Care NursingIntensive Care UnitsNursing Staff, HospitalAdultAnthropology, CulturalFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPandemicsQualitative ResearchSARS-CoV-2Surveys and QuestionnairesCOVID‐19 pandemicexperiencesfocused ethnographyICU nursesneeds

Identifiers

PMID41188951
PMCPMC12586349

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.