04/22/2021
By Maureen Martin

The Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, Solomont School of Nursing, invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Christine L. Repsha on "The Experiences of Recent Graduate Registered Nurses Working the Frontlines During the COVID-19 Pandemic."

Date: Thursday, May 6, 2021
Time: 2 to 5 p.m. EST
Location: This will be a virtual defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should email Christine_Repsha@uml.edu and committee chair Comfort_Enah@uml.edu at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the meeting.

Committee Chair: Comfort Enah, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Donna Manning Endowed Chair and Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee Members:

  • Heidi Collins Fantasia, Ph.D., RN, WHNP-BC, Associate Professor & Department Chair, Solomont School of Nursing, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Marni Kellogg, Ph.D., RN, Assistant Professor, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Abstract:

Background: An estimated 200,000 nurses enter the workforce each year; however, about 15-20% of recent graduate registered nurses (RGRNs) leave their first nursing job within one year of employment. The challenges of the transition from student to professional nurse were intensified over the last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses working through disaster situations, including public health emergencies, often experience anxiety, stress, fear, and exhaustion. RGRNs facing both the transition to practice and the pandemic simultaneously may struggle with feeling successful in their chosen career, leading to increased turnover in nursing staff. Additionally, nurses dealing with high stress and anxiety may be at increased risk of making mistakes and providing poor quality of care to patients.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of RGRNs during the COVID-19 pandemic identify how the pandemic has influenced their practice.

Method: This study used a qualitative descriptive approach to explore the experiences of 17 RGRNs who entered the workforce just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants worked in acute care and had 3 to 8 months of nursing experience prior to caring for patients with COVID-19.

Findings: RGRNs working on the frontlines of the pandemic were emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausted. Increased exposure to death and dying, rapid changes in guidelines and protocols, as well as fear of infecting others contributed to exhaustion, feelings of overwhelm, and isolation. However, RGRNs were already in a learning mindset that allowed them to more easily adjust to changing conditions. Participants found the pandemic accelerated their transition to practice. Nurses supported each other both within and outside of work and leaned on each other to get through the experience. This need for support within the profession was exacerbated by a lack of support from hospital administration and community members. These experiences led RGRNs to become more committed to the nursing profession but less committed to bedside, acute care roles.

Conclusion: This study provided important information on the experience of RGRNs in acute care during a disaster situation. Recommendations for education, practice, and health promotion include better preparation for nursing graduates to care for critically ill patients, increased awareness of a need to provide for nurses' physical and mental health, and more support for RGRNs to process challenging situations and develop resiliency. Future research should examine the long-term effects of working through a pandemic, such as impacts on mental health and the longevity of an experienced nursing workforce.