Purpose: This review paper aimed to provide an overview of the published nursing research related to the COVID-19 pandemic over the last six months. Method: Online Google Scholar database was searched for COVID-19 related articles published between the 1st of Jan 2020 and 15th of June 2020. Findings: The initial search found 1930 results from combining the search between the words "nurse" and "nursing" with COVID-19. Only 48 articles met the eligibility criteria. Most of the studies focused on psychological factors (33.3%), followed by clinical practices (29.2%). The majority of the authors have an academic affiliation (70.8%), only (12.5%) have a clinical affiliation. About (21%) of the articles were funded, (90%) of this fund came from China. Most of the authors utilized the quantitative approach (27.1%); the qualitative approach has been used by (4.2%); only one article (2.1%) utilized the mixed methodology. No study used a theoretical or conceptual framework. Mainly, the nurses conducted their research independently (52.1%), while (35.4%) has been done in a multidisciplinary team; 35.3% of them were done in collaboration with physicians. Conclusion: The results indicate that the nurses responded immediately to the COVID-19 pandemic by conducting researches mainly by utilizing a quantitative approach and writing a lot of editorials. To enrich the research results, nurses worked in research in collaboration with other disciplines, especially physicians. Still, the nursing research funding is under the limit. Stress and psychological factors are the primary concern for the nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To identify the impact of dealing with COVID-19 patients in clinical areas on nurses’ professional self-concept and self-confidence. Background: Professional self-concept is considered a critical factor in the recruitment/retention process in nursing, nursing shortage, career satisfaction, and academic achievements. Professional self-confidence is also a crucial determinant in staff satisfaction, reducing turnover, and increasing work engagement. Design: Descriptive, comparative study. Methods: The study was conducted between February to May 2021 by utilizing a convenience sampling technique. A total of 170 nurses from two facilities were recruited from two COVID-19- and non-COVID-19-designated facilities. The level of professional self-concept and self-confidence was assessed by utilizing the Nurses’ Self-Concept Instrument and Self-Confidence Scale. Results: The professional self-concept level among the group exposed to COVID-19 patients was lower than the comparison group, while the professional self-confidence level among the exposed group to COVID-19 patients was similar to the comparison group. On the other hand, the satisfied staff and those who received professional training in dealing with COVID-19 patients reported a higher level of professional self-concept. Conclusions: Dealing with COVID-19 patients has an impact on professional self-concept; the exposure group was lower than those who did not deal with COVID-19 patients, while the professional self-confidence level among the exposed group was similar to the comparison group. Getting professional training in dealing with COVID-19 patients and being satisfied at work were significant factors in improving professional self-concept. Policymakers should create strategies that target the improvement of professional training in dealing with COVID-19 patients.

Objectives To determine the intention and motivation of nurses and midwives to pursue their higher education considering several factors. Methods This is a cross-sectional study were a 16-item online survey was distributed using a convenience sampling method to approximately 12,000 nurses and midwives between May – July 2021. Results A total of 513 eligible nurses and midwives participated in the study. Most of the respondents were females (76.61%), with a bachelor’s degree (72.3%) and well experienced (11–15 years) (35.4%). Most nurses and midwives are highly motivated to pursue higher education (79.14%). The most motivating factor for the respondents is their professional goals (85.2%), While the most dissuading factor was the cost. Regarding COVID-19, about 28% of the respondents said that the COVID-19 pandemic has a negative effect on their desire to go for higher education. Conclusions The nurses and midwives were highly motivated to pursue higher education regardless of their demographic status, available resources, and barriers. Furthermore, the eagerness of the nurses and midwives to pursue higher education, which is rooted in their desire to grow in their profession.