Nursing in general is a very straining career. It can take a toll on anyone; whether it be a first-year nursing student or a nurse of 30+ years. Nurses are expected to separate their emotions from their job, even if involves the death of their favorite patient or a terminal prognosis. Nurses are often so focused on their patient’s well-being, comfort level, and mental health that they often forget about their own. It’s even harder as a nursing student when clinical and in-person patient care is such a small fraction of the entire curriculum. By adding in the Coronavirus pandemic, anyone’s anxiety and fear are increased, even more so for nursing students.
Walking into clinical on the first day after the start of the pandemic felt like walking into a big unknown. Having to get my temperature taken, being given a surgical mask, and answering screening questions was overwhelming as I knew I could be putting myself or others at risk. Thankfully, I was placed on a floor that had no COVID-positive patients, but one can still never be too sure. With everything about the coronavirus pandemic constantly evolving, it’s hard to not feel anxious when caring for anyone, COVID positive or not. I can’t even begin to imagine how the patients must feel as well. Going to the hospital is almost always nerve-racking and adding in the everchanging pandemic has undoubtedly increased patients’ anxiety by a lot.
Having to wear a mask, a face shield, and sometimes a gown can be very intimidating to a patient. Nurses who have been in the field for a long time may have been on the first line during the AIDs pandemic probably went through a similar experience as to now. Being a third-year nursing student, this is all very new to me. Not being able to flash a smile or hold my patient’s hand when they’re scared can also increase anxiety for the patient and the nurse. As a nursing student, it has been hard adjusting to these rules and regulations. My biggest strength is patient communication and showing empathy during their weakest moments. Not being able to have these patient interactions has made it hard to provide comfort and support. I am learning other ways to still show these feelings, but it has definitely been challenging. My biggest goal is to make my patients feel safe when I am around them and have them know that I will do everything in my power to keep them safe as well.
At the beginning of the pandemic, there was a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) that caused a worldwide panic. PPE is the only way to protect the faculty and staff against getting sick. Having a shortage means an increased risk of infection and therefore increases healthcare workers’ anxiety levels. In a study by Savitsky et al., it was found that a lack of PPE increased nursing students’ anxiety and also increased their fear of getting sick. As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, there is still a question of how much PPE there is and if there will be enough for the coming months or possibly even years.
As I continue through clinical even after a year, I have become increasingly aware of the safety of my patients and the rest of the nursing staff. I try my hardest to make sure I am only surrounding myself with those who are being just as cautious about the pandemic as I am and continuing to self-test once a week. I still have anxiety over the fear of getting sick, but it has been lowering as I get more comfortable with wearing a mask, hand hygiene, social distancing, and the COVID-19 vaccine. Someday soon (though, not too soon) I hope I will be able to finally take off my mask and greet my patients with a smile as I once had been able to.
Savitsky, B., Findling, Y., Ereli, A., & Hendel, T. (2020). Anxiety and coping strategies among nursing students during the covid-19 pandemic. Nurse education in practice, 46, 102809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2020.102809