Experiences of professional nurses in paediatric wards during the COVID-19 pandemic, North West Province

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Corona virus brought changes in paediatric wards globally. The changes included restrictions of caregivers as a measure to curb the spread of the virus, paediatric admissions decreased due to caregivers' delayed treatment seeking behaviour, resulting in late presentations to hospitals with complications already, COVID-19 infections in paediatric nurses which led to their absence in the wards due to isolation and quarantine. This increased professional nurses' workload in paediatric wards during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of these changes were shortage of staff and burnout which led to disruption of paediatric services. AIM: The study aimed to generate an understanding of the experiences of professional nurses in paediatric wards of NWP during the COVID-19 pandemic. STUDY SETTING: The study was conducted at two public hospitals in North West Province. The first study setting was a Provincial hospital which receives referred patients from district hospitals and clinics. The second study setting was a district hospital which receives patients from clinics. METHODS: A qualitative-exploratory-descriptive, contextual and phenomenological research design was used to achieve the objectives of the study Qualitative research method assisted the researcher to answer the research question in this study.A total of eleven professional nurses,five from the Provincial hospital and 6 from the district hospital, were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data was collected using in-depth interviews by the researcher at the selected hospitals. Data analysis was done by the researcher using Colaizzi's seven steps method. Ethical issues and trustworthiness were maintained throughout the study. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the study namely: 1) Nurses' experiences of COVID- 19 pandemic, 2) Development of resilience during COVID-19 pandemic and 3) Lack of human and material resources. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that professional nurses were overwhelmed during the pandemic due to shortage of staff and resources. Conclusions were drawn that in future pandemics more nurses should be allocated to paediatric wards to enhance quality nursing care. Recommendations were made for nursing practice, research and education for future pandemics.