Experiences of professional nurses regarding shortage in the advent of COVID-19 in a hospital in the North West Province

Abstract

Introduction: Shortage has always been the main problem confronting the nursing sector across the globe. Prior to Covid-19 pandemic, nurses experienced shortage of staff attributed to absenteeism due to amongst others sick leave and resources. In the advent of Covid-19, most nurses contracted Covid-19 infection and had to absent themselves from work, compounding the shortages. These are concerns in one hospital in the North West province of South Africa. The current study explored and described experiences of professional nurses regarding shortage in the advent of Covid-19. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual approach was used. The target population were professional nurses employed at a hospital in the North West province in the era of Covid-19 pandemic. A purposive sampling technique based on a set of selection criteria was used to engage participants. The total number of professional nurses participating in this study were 12. Data collected from the interviews was analysed using thematic analysis model. The ethical principles that were applied throughout the study are respect for persons, privacy, beneficence and justice and Trustworthiness. The findings: This study identified factors related to physical exhaustion, emotional pain, and mental health challenges as well as the negative impact on the health care system in the advent of Covid-19. In addition, the shortage of nurses in the advent of Covid-19 was attributed to a lack of PPE, thereby exposing nurses to the risk ofmcontracting Covid infections which resulted in sick leave and or absenteeism. Conclusion: Professional nurses at one hospital in North West had negative experiences regarding shortage in the advent of Covid-19 pandemic. Recommendation: The study recommends mental, emotional, and physical support, adequate human and material resources, as well as proper planning for future pandemics.