Exploring Psycho-social experiences of Nurses Working in the COVID-19 Ward at a Level Two Hospital in Petauke District, Zambia

DOI

No DOI

Published In

Volume 2, Issue 4 (2022)

Published Online

July-August 2022

Pages

01-05

Article Type

Research Article

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COVID-19 pandemic not only infected millions but also affected tens of millions. Nurses have been reliable frontline ‘soldiers’ providing direct nursing care and treatment to patients in COVID-19 Intensive Care Units. While multiple studies have been conducted to understand the nature of COVID-19 pandemic, few studies have been conducted to understand social and psychological experiences of nurses assigned to work in the COVID-19 isolation units especially during the early days of the pandemic. This qualitative inquiry explored the emotional, mental and interactional well-being of nurses working in the COVID-19 ward. The study was conducted between January and August, 2021 at a level two public hospital in Petauke District- Zambia. A total of 26 nurses participated in the study. The study found that nurses labelled their call of duty to work in the COVID-19 ward as the most dreadful moment of their career. The call of duty was associated with overwhelming distress, anxiety and uncertainty. The study also found that nurses’ interactional wellbeing was affected due to direct and indirect offensive social rejection suffered at the hands of close family members, neighbours, landlords and fellow nurses. This study recommends systematic counseling, social activities that promote social wellbeing and management support to nurses. Key words: COVID-19, Psychological, Social, nurses, pandemic, experiences