COVID-19 Related Fears Among Mzuzu University’s Nursing Students During Clinical Practice

Abstract

Purpose: Clinical practice during pandemics is known to bring additional fears to nursing students. The purpose of this study was to explore fears of Mzuzu University's nursing students nurses regarding resumption of clinical practice amidst the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: The study used a qualitative approach employing a descriptive phenomenological design. Mzuzu University Research Ethics Committee (MZUNIREC) approved the study and issued MZUNIREC/DOR/20/06 as approval number. An independent person collected data through four focus group discussions with a purposefully selected sample of 40 consented nursing students who had completed clinical practice during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data analysis was done manually using content analysis. The analysis started with transcription of the interviews. Following this, data were coded and categorized into themes and subthemes were established from participants' significant statements. Results: Four major themes about the fears amongst the student nurses emerged. These were as follows: equipment and supplies; increased perceived risk for acquiring and transmitting COVID-19; stigma and discrimination and perceived fear of not having adequate learning. Conclusion: Clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic brings fear among nursing students and requires that implementers of nursing and midwifery programs prioritize ascertaining student's skill, emotional wellbeing and provision of adequate resources before deploying them to clinical areas.

Resilience and experiences of nursing students during COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed method study

“…This finding is in agreement with another study in which participants narrated that the shortage of equipment and supplies in the clinical area aroused fear in them. 12 In the present study, participants reported a lack of patient-oriented teaching due to the fear of spreading the disease. Similarly, another study reported that students used avoidance strategies due to fear of contracting COVID while in clinical practice.…”

“…Similar narrations were identified in which participants feared they would face stigma and discrimination by the community. 12 Students reported a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment during clinical posting. This finding is in agreement with another study in which participants narrated that the shortage of equipment and supplies in the clinical area aroused fear in them.…”

Emerging public health challenges during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Malawi: A review

“…Between April and September 2020, during a partial lockdown in Malawi, there was a rise in suicide cases, most of which were attributed to financial hardship due to a slowdown in economic activities [ 44 ]. Mental health challenges were also observed in students who feared future employment uncertainties and the effect of COVID‐19 upon completion of their studies [ 45 ].…”

“…For instance, a 5‐month long school closure of schools at the peak of the pandemic resulted in increased school dropouts [ 13 ]. A COVID‐19 rapid assessment on teenage pregnancies and early marriages led by the Malawi Government reported over 40,000 teenage pregnancies between March and July 2020, an 11% increase from the same period in 2019 [ 45 , 46 ].…”