Behind the scrubs: Psychological distress and resilience among nurses

Abstract

Background

Nurses are exposed to high levels of stress in the workplace. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, levels of stress were exacerbated, impacting on nurses’ mental health.

Aim

The aim of the study was to investigate psychological distress and resilience, and how nurses with different levels of education responded to stress.

Setting

The study was conducted in three hospitals (a psychiatric hospital, a general district hospital and a dedicated COVID-19 hospital) in the Western Cape province, South Africa.

Methods

A survey was conducted with frontline nurses ( N = 167 [71.8%]) in three hospitals in the Western Cape using six validated self-administered scales.

Results

Respondents reported high levels of moral distress related to time (3.42/6, ± 1.6) and protection during COVID-19 (1.3/3, ± 0.7). Mild-to-moderate levels of fear of COVID-19 (19.4/35, ± 8.2) and a moderate perception of vulnerability to disease (60.7/105, ± 19.9) contributed to nurses’ stress. High levels of psychological distress, especially during COVID-19 compared to current levels (27.2 vs 18.8; W = 8.9, p = < 0.001), with high levels of resilience (73.2/88, ± 17.9) were reported. Enrolled nurses reported significantly higher levels of stress during the pandemic.

Conclusion

Post COVID-19, there was reduction in the respondents who reported severe levels of psychological distress, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on nurses’ mental health and the need to build resilience.

Contribution

This study enhances understanding of the factors that result in psychological distress in nurses and how nurses with different levels of education respond to stress.