Nurses are important part of the healthcare system. Being a nurse encompasses promoting health, avoiding illness as well as caring for individuals who are ill, disabled and dying. Nurses advocate for patients’ rights, promoting safety, conducting research, and educating. Their tasks vary by workplace but generally include triage, early recognition of life-threatening diseases, medicine delivery, life-saving operations, and early referral. However, the everyday stresses of working in healthcare contribute to a crisis in nurses’ mental health. 40% of nurses in this survey said they had poor control over their workload and that their daily work was somewhat or very hectic. Unfortunately, two-thirds of nurses who report mental anguish or toxic feelings do not seek help, and 56% believe mental health care for healthcare providers is stigmatized.
Synthesis of Literature
Nagel and Nilsson (2022) were interested in the work-related mental health of nurses. They aimed to find out how the COVID-19 crisis has affected their lives. The findings are indicative of a significant surge in mental health diagnoses whereby there was a threefold increase in exhaustion/stress among nurses and double depression/anxiety between those two years. The authors used SwAge-model to explore different determinants influencing nurses’ mental health; for example, physical and mental working environment, working pace, recovery time, social setting, motivation, and competence development. From these results, it is clear that many facets contribute to mental health diagnoses among nursing professionals. Significant work-related issues include physical demands, psychologically demanding duties, high work tempo, and insufficient rest between shifts. Social factors including coworker and work community support were found to affect mental health. Workload management, a supportive workplace, and understanding the pandemic’s impact on nurses’ mental health are crucial. Organizational interventions should include staffing, open communication, and colleague emotional support. Understanding the problem’s complexity helps healthcare institutions design tailored solutions to decrease nurses’ mental health burden, improving care and patient safety.
Lai et al. (2020) revealed a critical connection between the mental health crisis among nurses and their exposure to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The study found that nurses treating COVID-19 patients have high rates of mental health problems. Frontline nurses, women, those near Wuhan (the outbreak epicentre), and those directly diagnosing or treating COVID-19 patients showed increased levels of sadness, anxiety, insomnia, and discomfort, according to the study. For the mental health crisis among nurses as a practice issue, these results have important implications. Significance is clear on how vulnerable are nurses to possible mental health problems. This study reports that they are at greater risk of experiencing serious symptoms of ill mental health. This group therefore needs urgent targeted interventions and psychological support as the results show. Assessing parameters like sex, place of work and frontline involvement can provide relevant data for designing suitable programs. Nurses’ mental health initiatives must cater to females, front-line employees and those who operate in places where there is considerable risk since they have unique challenges.
Stelnicki et al. (2022) provide valuable insights into the pressing practice issue of the mental health crisis among nurses. Findings show that there has been a substantial surge in positive mental health screens for both male and female nurses during pandemic. The occurrence of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and burnout has risen sharply pointing to the devastating impact of the pandemic on nurses’ wellbeing. The epidemic has increased occupational risk factors, emphasizing the need to address nurses’ mental health requirements. Mental health was worsened by younger age and full-time employment, highlighting demographic vulnerabilities. Workplace characteristics vary between health authorities, sectors, and regions. Providence Health Authority had higher rates of nurse mental health issues, presumably due to the specific challenges confronting nurses treating vulnerable people in inner-city Vancouver. Nurse population-specific mental health interventions and support networks are suggested. Literature recommends workload management, self-assessment tools, protection gear, and leader empowerment. Addressing staffing issues, especially LPNs and full-time employees’ higher mental health risks, will enhance nurse mental health crises. This study can improve evidence-based initiatives for healthcare organizations and leaders to manage nurses’ mental health issues during the pandemic.
García‐Vivar et al. (2022) offer insights into mental health implications among nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved thirty-one relevant articles from different countries concentrating on hospital settings mostly. Alarmingly, prevalence ratios were above average for anxiety at 29.55%, depression at 38.79%, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 29.8% and insomnia at 40.66%. Importantly, the research paper acknowledges the fact that there is no available information regarding mental health outcomes about primary healthcare facilities as well as nursing homes for this population of professionals, necessitating further investigations in these areas. The results highlight the mental health crisis among nurses, particularly acute hospital nurses. High prevalence rates show the pandemic burdened nurses’ well-being. The lack of primary care and nursing home nurse data highlights a crucial research gap. Considering the long-term mental health effects, nurses worldwide should be monitored and improved in their working environment.
According to Aruta et al. (2022), nurses are failing to understand and confront the mental health problem. The study illuminates frontline nurses’ mental health. It assesses mental health during a global health crisis using psychometrically sound measures. Due to its structure, consistency, and reliability, the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) can screen nurses’ mental health. Nurses are at the forefront of workers, facing greater workloads, shifts, and psychological discomfort. Current literature focuses on negative mental health issues such as burnout, trauma, and depression, creating a void in understanding nurses’ positive mental health. As the study focused on frontline nurses’ well-being, satisfaction, and happiness, the bi-dimensional model of mental health, highlighting both positive and negative elements, is significant. This study has immediate implications for resolving nurses’ mental health crises. It stresses frequent mental health checkups, enhanced healthcare staffing, and mental health skills training to minimize the negative effects of long work hours. In emergencies, the WEMWBS can help healthcare organizations assess and maintain nursing staff mental health.
Dziedzic et al. (2022) have pointed out that there is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress among nurses. Nearly half of surveyed nurses had mild to severe depression, while a significant percentage had high to very high anxiety and stress levels. This applies especially to women nurses, who make up the majority. The study indicated that frontline exposure, including communication with patients, predicts mental health issues. Last, work experience and education were discovered to positively affect symptomatology and add distinctive variance. Addressing the nurse mental health crisis practice problem requires this information. Targeted assistance solutions for identified risk factors are stressed in the study. Psychological assistance, psychotherapy, and stress management can improve nurses’ mental health. The study also emphasizes organizational methods including task reduction, equipment, and protection. These findings can influence evidence-based initiatives and policies suited to nurses’ unique problems during the healthcare crisis as nursing leaders and policymakers try to promote workforce well-being.
Muller et al. (2020) reveal a significant burden on nurses, with a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, distress, and sleep problems. Several pandemic-related risk factors for HCW mental health are identified in the review. Female gender, pandemic exposure, and fear of infection or infecting others were the most common mental health associations. Social support was a key protective factor for mental health. Despite the indicated support needs, HCWs, especially nurses, expressed limited interest in professional aid and more dependence on social support. Risk factors for bad mental health outcomes, HCW requirements and preferences, and existing therapies’ psychopathology focus are mismatched. Most mental health interventions focus on individual symptoms rather than organizational or collegial variables. In nurse mental health crises, the research emphasizes the necessity for proactive organizational methods beyond symptom management. Strategy should address organizational concerns like heavy workload, poor rest, and inadequate PPE. The study stresses the necessity of tailoring support systems and interventions to nurses’ needs and preferences, reflecting the role of social support in mental health issues. This review’s evidence is essential for nursing decision-making and the development of effective mental health interventions for nurses while the epidemic continues.
Riedel et al. (2021) underscores the unprecedented pressures on nurses, including higher workloads, limited social support, and negative patient outcomes. The risks are exacerbated by factors such as poor working conditions, exposure to trauma, and the impact of social distancing measures. Findings list gender, age, working conditions, and social isolation as risk factors for mental health issues in nurses. Strong family, friends, coworkers, and organizational support protect against mental health issues. Coping strategies encompass mindfulness, moral resilience, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy, emotional freedom techniques (EFT), prolonged exposure (PE), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), and motor interference therapy. These methods reduce trauma, boost resilience, and treat mental health conditions. The literature emphasizes the need to handle nurses’ mental health crises. Early detection, intervention, and mental health therapy are stressed in the findings. Healthcare companies should provide mental health coverage for COVID-19 trauma victims. Organizational and societal support for mental health issues and a combined effort to protect healthcare practitioners.
Havaei et al. (2021) point out the considerable influence of work environment on mental health outcomes among nurses. the study explores the negative relationship between bad mental health consequences and conditions at workplaces including safety, resource availability, support from organizations as well as interactions. It suggests improved policies and practices at the workplace so that they can help solve nurse’s mental health crisis. This evidence supports the practice problem in suggesting a holistic intervention approach that enhances intensive care unit patient safety climate, staffing adequacy transparency in organizational decisions and positive nurse leadership. The research recommends transparent managerial decision-making, effective shift staffing, and supportive coworker relationships to meet staff needs.
Kigozi-Male et al. (2023) found that many nurses were unaware of mental health patients’ employment, recovery, and help-seeking behavior. Especially enrolled/assistant nurses and those in small-town clinics had poorer mental health knowledge scores. The study also found that two in five nurses had poor views of mental health patients and services. Negative nurse attitudes were predicted by age, job category, and lack of mental health in-service training. These findings are crucial for nurses’ mental health crisis practice problems. The study reveals that PHC nurses require mental health skills and excellent attitudes to manage mental health issues. Older nurses and volunteers may need particular interventions to modify negative attitudes. The study also stresses the importance of mental health in-service training for non-specialist nurses to eliminate stigma and improve treatment. For comorbidities like TB, mental health integration should prioritize PHC nurse training. This strategy emphasizes worldwide mental health awareness and comprehensive mental health crisis strategies for healthcare practitioners.
Evidence to base a practice change and need for a practice change initiative
The synthesis is an evident indication that there exists a mental health crisis among the nurses. Nurses are subjected to high levels of stress, anxiety, depression and burnout which may as well have severe implications on their general welfare, work efficiency and patient care. The proof demonstrates that a nurse’s mental health crisis has been influenced by several aspects including heavy workloads; physically and mentally demanding tasks; lack of support and stigmatization of mental health care for medical professionals.
The mental health crisis among nurses is a pressing issue that requires a practice change initiative. Key areas to focus on include workload management, creating a supportive workplace, increasing mental health awareness and training, regular mental health check-ups, and tailoring interventions. Healthcare organizations should prioritize staffing levels and workload distribution to ensure nurses have manageable workloads, reducing stress and preventing burnout. Second, fostering open communication, providing emotional support, and recognizing the impact of the pandemic on nurses’ mental health is crucial. Third, mental health awareness and training should be increased among healthcare providers, equipping them with skills to recognize and address their own mental health needs and support their colleagues. Regular check-ups can help identify early signs of distress and provide necessary support and interventions. Finally, tailored interventions should be implemented to address the unique challenges faced by nurses, such as female nurses, frontline workers, and those working in high-risk areas.
Conclusion
The literature emphasizes the necessity for a practice reform strategy to address nurses’ widespread mental health crises. The combination of poems and novels reiterates the fact that something must be done to address the pervasive mental health crisis in nursing. Studies implicate that there are alarmingly high rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout among nurses, which is compounded by heavy workloads, lack of support, and stigmatization of mental health care in healthcare providers. A comprehensive approach is essential, focusing on workload management, creating supportive workplaces, increasing mental health awareness, and providing targeted interventions. This initiative should prioritize staffing, open communication, and colleague emotional support, recognizing the unique challenges faced by different groups of nurses. The whole idea is to enhance the mentality being better nurse patient safety. Evidence-based interventions targeted to nurses’ complicated work circumstances are essential for global healthcare system resilience and efficacy.
References
Aruta, J. J. B. R., Almazan, J. U., Alamri, M. S., Adolfo, C. S., & Gonzales, F. (2022). Measuring mental well-being among frontline nurses during the COVID-19 crisis: Evidence from Saudi Arabia. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02828-2
Dziedzic, B., Kobos, E., Sienkiewicz, Z., & Idzik, A. (2022). Mental Health of Nurses during the Fourth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1785. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031785
García‐Vivar, C., Rodríguez‐Matesanz, I., San Martín‐Rodríguez, L., Soto‐Ruiz, N., Ferraz‐Torres, M., & Escalada‐Hernández, P. (2022). Analysis of mental health effects among nurses working during the COVID ‐19 pandemic: A systematic review. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12880
Havaei, F., Ma, A., Staempfli, S., & MacPhee, M. (2021). Nurses’ workplace conditions impacting their mental health during COVID-19: A cross-sectional survey study. Healthcare, 9(1), 84. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9010084
Kigozi-Male, N. G., Heunis, J. C., & Engelbrecht, M. C. (2023). Primary health care nurses’ mental health knowledge and attitudes towards patients and mental health care in a South African metropolitan municipality. BMC Nursing, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01188-x
Lai, J., Ma, S., Wang, Y., Cai, Z., Hu, J., Wei, N., Wu, J., Du, H., Chen, T., Li, R., Tan, H., Kang, L., Yao, L., Huang, M., Wang, H., Wang, G., Liu, Z., & Hu, S. (2020). Factors associated with mental health outcomes among health care workers exposed to Coronavirus Disease 2019. JAMA Network Open, 3(3), e203976–e203976. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3976
Muller, A. E., Hafstad, E. V., Himmels, J. P. W., Smedslund, G., Flottorp, S., Stensland, S. Ø., Stroobants, S., Van de Velde, S., & Vist, G. E. (2020). The mental health impact of the covid-19 pandemic on healthcare workers, and interventions to help them: A rapid systematic review. Psychiatry Research, 293, 113441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113441
Nagel, C., & Nilsson, K. (2022). Nurses’ Work-Related Mental Health in 2017 and 2020-A comparative follow-up study before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 15569. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315569
Riedel, B., Horen, S. R., Reynolds, A., & Hamidian Jahromi, A. (2021). Mental health disorders in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: implications and coping strategies. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.707358
Stelnicki, A. M., Carleton, R. N., & Reichert, C. (2020). Nurses’ mental health and well-being: COVID-19 Impacts. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 52(3), 084456212093162. https://doi.org/10.1177/0844562120931623
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