Pandemic Effect on Nursing Essay Sample

As of March 2020, there has been a rise in Covid-19 cases across the world. Which has led some Nurses to be in distress and have concerns about the Pandemic. Covid-19 is an illness, caused by a virus that can spread through person-to-person contact. This has impacted them both personally and professionally. Ranging from being understaffed, feeling a lack of respect, and the need for improvement in health care education. Are all issues that Nurses are facing today.

Since the pandemic has started, there has been a lot of challenges that the nurses have had to face and adapt to quickly. Risking their lives through exposure without a pay raise. Some of their daily tasks have been a struggle because they have been understaffed, working longer hours, and working with only a certain number of supplies (PPE) on hand. Seeing that they are understaffed due to anxiety some nurses are quitting. Others are catching the virus and have succumbed to their illnesses. Then there are the Baby Boomers, more than 55% of the RN workforce in the US are expected to retire in the next 12yrs. This is why the ICN (The International Council of Nurses) a federation of more than 130 national nurses’ association are concerned about the next generation. They have stated that 180,000 Nurses have passed away since Oct 29, 2021. For this reason, there is a high demand for Nurses. 

Some nurses may feel they are not getting enough respect from the patients as the Doctors are getting. After informing a patient condition to the family member or to the patient, they would accept the information given to them with no questions asked. But when the doctor walks in, they would jump up with a different attitude with so many questions ready for the doctor only to be told the exact same information that was given to them previously by the nurse. Observing this, with their own eyes. They feel that patients don’t trust them enough to do their job. Not knowing that they could possibly have more degrees behind their name. Feeling unappreciated is causing so many nurses to feel this way. Also, there are many others who don’t like the way nurses are being treated during this pandemic. The ICN President (Kennedy, Annette) shares her input on how no country was ever prepared for the pandemic. States that “there would be no Health Care System without Nurses.” Lack of Respect is an overwhelming feeling. 

Since Covid begin hospital admissions have spiked rapidly, leaving some hospitals over capacitated and nurses to adapt to new work environments. In addition, an Improvement in Health Care Education seems to be evolving. Continuing education for nurses to improve their professional behavior, practice, and patient care. Nurses are being faced with old and new issues that could be a challenge for them having to save lives. Over the past two decades, nursing has changed drastically, from working on a paper due to no internet to now processing and documenting everything on the computer. Today there are now more training programs, better hospitals, and more responsibility for the purpose of bettering the outcome of a patient. Even though Nurses have access to stay informed and be up to date about the current status of Covid-19. Retraining and learning new technology is a must to help avoid any work injury or hazard. The use of technology is important because it gives new and more mobile access to information. This helps Nurses and health care providers exchange information easily. This is their guide of thinking and practicing.

In conclusion, Nursing is an upstanding job that is needed throughout the world. Despite their mental stress of being understaffed, feeling unappreciated, and the need for improvement in health care education; these issues can be resolved. By committing to the idea of gathering some Health Workers, to support the nurses and acknowledge their hard work when it’s due. Recognizing staff lets them know that their hard work is valued and is essential. This will then regain their loyalty and commitment to their jobs and create a better work environment. Seeing how this Pandemic has taken a toll and had a major effect on Nursing is why Mental Health Counseling could be another great strategy for them. This will help support those that are experiencing mental or emotional distress. Dealing with any kind of stress can help rebuild better relationships and help take on more positive daily tasks. With a better work environment, others would see the change, and this could possibly motivate them to join the team. With that in mind, these strategies would be a great improvement in the Health Care System. Without structure, there will be chaos. With there being a shortage of nurses in the near future what would health care be like without Nurses?