The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nursing Practices and Patient Care

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late 2019, rapidly escalated into a global crisis, profoundly affecting healthcare systems worldwide. Nurses, as frontline workers, faced significant challenges due to the overwhelming number of COVID-19 cases, strained resources, and heightened stress levels. Despite numerous publications addressing these issues, there is a need for a systematic review to synthesize credible findings and better understand the challenges faced by nurses. Aim: This review aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing practices and patient care, focusing on the major challenges encountered by nurses during the pandemic and the implications for nursing practice. Methods: A narrative review was conducted based on a literature search that identified 22 relevant studies, including quantitative surveys, qualitative studies, and mixed-methods research. Thematic analysis was employed to identify and synthesize recurring themes from the studies, focusing on physical and mental exhaustion, PPE-related challenges, psychosomatic disturbances, and effective mitigating strategies. Results: Key themes identified include severe physical and mental exhaustion among nurses, challenges with PPE shortages and usability, widespread psychosomatic disturbances, and various factors that could alleviate these challenges. Nurses experienced significant stress, anxiety, and physical discomfort due to extended work hours and inadequate PPE.