COVID-19’s missing heroes: Nurses’ contribution and visibility in Aotearoa New Zealand 

Improving Golden Hour Care Coordination

“…Although we did not set out to measure nurse resilience at the outset of this study, the increasing pressure on nurses from the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing shortages across New Zealand means that it has become a relevant issue to discuss. 19 Resilience in nurses can be viewed as a dynamic process involving recovery and adaptation in the presence of adversity. 20 It focuses on the interaction between a nurse's internal resources and the availability of external resources to manage a stressful situation.…”

Out of Chaos Leaders Emerged

“…During the pandemic, many retired nurses returned to the workforce to assist as needed, undertaking further training to work in contact-tracing, COVID-testing stations, testing work, and in specialized units such as intensive care units (ICUs) and emergency departments. 20 …”

“… 36 Nurses found new ways to communicate effectively with patients, family, and colleagues, by adapting to virtual consultations. 20 WhatsApp collaboration groups with staff members and in ICUs by linking families with video iPad sessions to see their loved ones. This was evident in ICUs in the National Health Service (United Kingdom), where interactions with families were handled with video calling used in 63 (47%) of the ICUs and 39 (29%) ICUs had developed a dedicated family communication team.…”

“…It has provided an unprecedented opportunity for the general public to witness firsthand the vital role that nurses play. 20 The question for nursing now is whether to continue in our roles as implementers of policies that are handed to us or to use our size and influence for representation in places where decision-making that affects our practice, welfare, and profession are being discussed. 20 …”