New coronavirus: what does nursing have to learn and teach in times of a pandemic?

Nursing leadership strategies in addressing COVID-19 in light of John Kotter's framework

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the leadership strategies of nurses in university hospitals in response to care management changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, informed by John Kotter's insights.

METHODS

This multicentric study utilized qualitative and analytical methods. It was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 139 lead nurses from 10 university hospitals in Brazil. Data analysis included Bardin's content analysis and the webQDA software.

RESULTS

The primary category identified was "Nursing Leadership Strategies in the Battle Against COVID-19," encompassing five subcategories. This category underscored the importance of strategic vision in nursing leadership for combating COVID-19 within hospital settings, as well as the necessity of working collaboratively with their teams and other healthcare professionals.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

The results highlight the strategies used by lead nurses in confronting COVID-19, which can be associated with John Kotter's theoretical framework and his model of change.

Challenge, fear and pride: nursing students working as nurses in COVID-19 care units

Context and Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

The challenges of "learning on the go": A qualitative study of final-year Spanish nursing students incorporated to work during the first Covid-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shortage of qualified nurses in Spain. As a result, the government authorized the hiring of senior students.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the perspectives of a group of final-year nursing students who were hired on the basis of a relief contract for health professionals during the first COVID-19 outbreak, regarding their learning process and their mixed role as students and novice nurses.

DESIGN

A qualitative exploratory study was conducted.

SETTINGS

The Nursing Department of the European University of Madrid, and the Red Cross College of Nursing.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighteen nursing students were recruited, aged between 18 and 65 years old, enrolled in the fourth year of Nursing Studies and who were hired under a relief contract for health professionals during the pandemic.

METHODS

Purposive sampling was used. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were carried out using a question guide. Interviews were conducted in a private video chat room platform. Also, a thematic, inductive analysis was performed. This study was conducted according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research and the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.

RESULTS

Four specific themes emerged: a) The students' role during the relief contract; b) The learning process during the pandemic; c) Barriers to learning; and d) A unique learning opportunity. The students had an undefined mixed role, which hindered their skills and activities. Learning was self-directed, sometimes through trial and error, and through experiencing critical events. Time constraints and having to learn under pressure were experienced as difficulties for learning. Nevertheless, this was a unique professional learning opportunity. The students learned to be organized and effective, acknowledge their limitations, gain confidence, face their fears, and mature.

CONCLUSIONS

These results can help inform nurse training programs and improve the organization and incorporation of nurses in health care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.