NursingNotes
  • login
  • signup
  • Latest News
  • Clinical Updates
  • Professional
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
NursingNotes
No Result
View All Result

Home > News > Clinical

Nurses redeployed to hard-hit Covid areas admit it was stressful but necessary

With 50,000 nursing vacancies before the pandemic hit, staff were already extremely stretched.


22 April 2022
Healthcare worker wearing PPE

Shutterstock

Researchers reported an altruistic theme with nurses wanting to help as much as possible.

Nurses who were redeployed to hard-hit areas during the pandemic admit that while it was stressful, it was often necessary.



Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) spoke to 55 UK registered nurses at NHS hospitals who were redeployed to hard-hit areas during the pandemic.

A total of 90% of those surveyed felt stressed or anxious during their redeployment, with some reporting that it affected their ability to work.

However, 47% said the change of job role had no impact on their willingness to work, with many reporting they felt strong motivation to help during the pandemic.

Even among the 40% who did say the change of role affected their willingness at work, an altruistic theme emerged, with many nurses feeling that it was morally necessary, despite their reservations.


A strong duty of care.

Co-author Dr Nebil Achour, Associate Professor in Disaster Mitigation at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said: “Our findings suggest that nursing in the UK has been facing serious challenges before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. With 50,000 nursing vacancies before the pandemic hit, staff were already extremely stretched.

“The study revealed that redeployment, a critical workforce strategy, was a source of great stress and anxiety for nurses.”

Co-author Helen Ballantyne, who carried out the research while studying at ARU, said: “Despite the concerns raised, around 44% of the participants viewed their redeployment positively, compared to 34% who were negative about it. Nurses feel a strong duty of care and wanted to help as much as they could.

“Nursing staff play a major role in the resilience of the healthcare service, which cannot be achieved without a comprehensive resilience strategy that integrates disaster preparedness and management within the day-to-day operation. Failing to do so can lead to less resilient staff and a vulnerable healthcare service.”




Popular

Healthcare workers in PPE

NHS workers handed 71p pay rise despite cost of living crisis

19 July 2022

Pixabay

New medical Doctor apprenticeship launched to ‘diversify’ the profession

21 July 2022

Community nurse dressing a wound

Nurses call for permanent end to NHS pension abatement rules

27 July 2022

Insight

Nurse speaking to a patient in the waiting room

‘If you don’t ask for retention bonuses, you’ll never get them’

8 August 2022

Exhaused nurse sofa

‘I’m a newly qualified nurse and already contemplating leaving’

27 July 2022

Busy A&E waiting room

‘The NHS is having its worst winter ever – and the reasons run much deeper than COVID’

28 January 2022


Related Posts

Vaccine inPPE
Clinical

Further Covid-19 booster approved for health and care workers alongside vulnerable groups

17 July 2022
Healthcare worker wearing PPE
Workforce

Nurses appoint barrister to expose MPs failings in Covid inquiry

4 July 2022
Close-up of rapid Covid-19 home lateral flow antigen test with positive result
Workforce

Special paid leave for Covid sickness and isolation scrapped for NHS workers

1 July 2022
NursingNotes

© 2019 NursingNotes.co.uk

Navigate Site

  • Who are we?
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Agenda for Change Pay Scales
  • NHS Pay Rise 2022

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • Clinical
  • Education
  • Health Politics
  • Opinion
  • Resources

© 2019 NursingNotes.co.uk