NYC Gazette

A recent study has shed light on the significant mental health challenges faced by nurses globally, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Published in the International Nursing Review, this research highlights the intense working conditions and their impact on nurses' mental well-being.

"Our study describes how nurses are affected by stressors in their workplace and shows how the stress carries over into their home life. The personal losses from the pandemic complicate this picture as there could easily be lingering grief in a third of the workforce," stated Allison Squires, professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing and lead author of the study.

The Global Consortium of Nursing and Midwifery Studies was established by Squires to fill gaps in knowledge from countries outside high-income regions. This collaboration now includes professionals from 82 countries examining long-term effects on nursing staff due to the pandemic.

In this survey, 9,387 nurses from 35 countries were questioned about their mental health between July 2022 and October 2023. The results showed anxiety and depression rates ranging from 23% to 61%, with many reporting higher symptoms at work than at home. Common issues included fatigue (57%), anxiety (44%), and feeling overwhelmed (41%).

There were notable differences among countries regarding mental health issues, possibly due to cultural factors or stigma related to mental illness. For example, Brazil reported a high rate of workplace-related anxiety at 69.9%, compared to Indonesia's 23.8%. Similarly, Turkey had an overwhelming rate of feeling overwhelmed at work (80.9%) versus Thailand's lower rate (6.7%).

Nurses also faced loss and public aggression; approximately 20% lost a family member, while others lost friends or coworkers due to COVID-19. "The staggering personal losses of friends, family, and coworkers and their effects on nurses’ mental health should not be underestimated," wrote Squires and her coauthors.

Nearly half of surveyed nurses experienced violence or aggression from the public because they were identified as healthcare workers—a concern highlighted by Squires as an ongoing safety issue for health workers.

Only a quarter of respondents felt they received adequate mental health support from employers, leading many to rely on self-care practices like exercise or spiritual activities more frequently than before the pandemic.

"The increased engagement in self-care practices suggests that nurses...may have turned to these activities to cope with adverse mental health symptoms experienced at work," said Squires. However, she emphasized that targeted mental health support is necessary for building resilience within nursing ranks.

Researchers urge policymakers worldwide to enhance available services for frontline workers while addressing clinical environment concerns affecting psychological safety.

"Given our findings...we see nurses moving within [the] workforce...leaving positions or countries for better conditions...or leaving altogether," noted Squires—a trend threatening global healthcare system sustainability amid pre-existing vulnerabilities exacerbated by pandemics' strainful demands.

"This study supports what ICN has been reporting since [COVID]: alarmingly high levels [of] stress & burnout among [global] nurse[s]," said Pamela Cipriano—president International Council Nurses(ICN). "This causes some nurse[s] leave profession...[adding aging workforce will worsen shortage]. We need governments invest nursing improve working conditions/salaries retain attract more profession[als]."