Challenges faced by nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review

Abstract

Background: Nurses have crucial roles in caring for patients and preventing the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, nurse managers have a prominent role during the pandemic, being responsible for the support and training of the nursing team to ensure quality care. While performing their duties in this time of fear and uncertainty, nurse managers face several challenges. Aim: To identify the challenges faced by nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: It is an integrative literature review whose search for articles was carried out in Medline, PubMed and Scopus. Qualitative content analysis was used. Results: Twelve primary research studies were included. Four themes emerged: (1) Workplace demands, (2) Impacts on physical and psychological health, (3) Coping measures and resilience and (4) Recommendations to better support nurse managers in times of crisis. Nurse managers had their roles expanded or completely changed, and they experienced many pressures and stressors in the workplace. Nurse managers also faced physical and psychological health problems. Nurse managers drew on experience; management skills; social media applications; support from family, colleagues and hospital administrators; training, and continuing education to solve the problems that emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organisations should use collaborative, inclusive and participatory practices for better crisis management. Conclusions: Knowing the experiences of nurse managers during the pandemic period may help health institutions and policymakers better prepare for emergencies.

Acute care nurse managers' definitions of and barriers to well‐being: A thematic analysis of open‐ended survey questions

“…In contrast, NMs who reported increased support from their leaders during the pandemic felt it helped alleviate workplace pressure (Aydogdu, 2022). Support from peers, especially that which increases feelings of solidarity and cohesion, is also important to professional well-being and can result in increased motivation for NMs (Niinihuhta et al, 2022;Ozmen & Arslan Yurumezoglu, 2022;).…”

“…(2019) noted that higher levels of satisfaction with work–life balance significantly predicted lower levels of burnout in U.S. nurse leaders. Raso (2021) noted that in 2020, 54% of U.S. NMs responded positively to the question “Would you say you have work‐life balance?” Additional challenges to NM work–life balance consistent with pandemic literature included the pressure to make themselves available 24/7 and ensure staff awareness about ever‐changing policies and practices (Aydogdu, 2022; White, 2021).…”

“…Gab Allah (2021) noted that Egyptian NMs who reported increased severity of challenges and lower levels of organizational support during COVID‐19 might experience anger and stress lasting after the pandemic along with increased risk for burnout and turnover. In contrast, NMs who reported increased support from their leaders during the pandemic felt it helped alleviate workplace pressure (Aydogdu, 2022). Support from peers, especially that which increases feelings of solidarity and cohesion, is also important to professional well‐being and can result in increased motivation for NMs (Niinihuhta et al., 2022; Ozmen & Arslan Yurumezoglu, 2022;).…”

“…Nurse managers (NMs) experienced significant stress and threats to their individual and professional well‐being due to the COVID‐19 pandemic (Aydogdu, 2022). Many healthcare workers experienced negative psychological outcomes, decreased job satisfaction, moral distress, and turnover (American Nurses Foundation [ANF], 2022).…”

“…NMs in Spain reported high levels of emotional exhaustion and burnout and little sense of personal accomplishment (Membrive‐Jiménez et al., 2022). In an integrative review by Aydogdu (2022), NM roles expanded during COVID to include taking care of patients and finding solutions for communication barriers between families and healthcare workers. NMs navigated the unknown while offering emotional support and reassurance through frequent policy changes and political strife impacting the quality of care and worker safety.…”