Experiences of US nurse managers during COVID-19

Editor's Note

This study led by nurse researchers at The Ohio State University College of Nursing explores the professional and personal experiences of US nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The analysis, which includes views of 39 nurse managers from 5 US health systems, identifies three major themes—challenges, feelings and emotions, and coping.

Subthemes that emerged within the three major themes include experiencing challenges, ethical dilemmas, and expressed negative emotions.

The nurse managers also note that as usual coping strategies failed, they began considering alternative careers.

The findings provide evidence to help senior leaders strategize about mechanisms to reduce managerial dissonance during stressful times, the authors say.