Nurses' Perspectives on Working Conditions While Caring for COVID-19 Patients During the Epidemic Threat in PolandLidia

Lidia Elżbieta Sierpińska^1,2,3*Monika Mikołajewska^2,4Elżbieta Araminowicz-Kerklo^5,6Krzysztof Sokołowski³Łukasz Rydzik⁷Wojciech Czarny⁸

• ¹Military Clinical Hospital No. 1 with Polyclinic, Independent Public Health Care Unit, Lublin, Poland
• ²Radom Higher School, Radom, Poland
• ³Vincent Pol University, Lublin, Poland
• ⁴Students’ Scientific Circle, Radom, Poland
• ⁵Military Clinical Hospital No. 1 with Polyclinic, Independent Public Health Care Unit, Lublin, Branch, Ełk, Ełk, Poland
• ⁶Uinversity of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Ełk, Poland
• ⁷University of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland
• ⁸University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland

Introduction: severe state of health of patients with COVID-19 increased the risk of arduous and hazardous work conditions of nurses. The aim of the study was recognition of the conditioning of work of nurses during care of patients with COVID-19 during the state of epidemic threat.The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the healthcare system, especially nurses working on the front lines. This study aimed to assess the work conditions and psychological stress faced by nurses during the pandemic. The study included 116 nurses who provided care to COVID-19 patients in hospital wards. A random sampling method was employed to select participants from those working in a shift system. The diagnostic survey method was used to collect data, with a focus on work conditions, stress exposure, and the provision of personal protective equipment. Data analysis was performed using SPSS v.29, applying Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.Results: 69.0% of nurses reported that they were 'sometimes' provided with personal protection equipment. According to 60.3% of participants nurse staffing was provided in accordance with regulations 'sometimes'. 64.7% of participants experienced stress: concern about infection with SARS-CoV-2, severe health state of patients, patient's death and shortage of equipment. The main complaints related with stress: difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, and headaches; 69.8% of participants were exposed to hazardous factors at work; 69.0% experienced arduous factors. Shortages of medical equipment were reported: mainly the lack of respirators, cardiac monitors and inhalators.Conclusions: nurses employed in hospital wards during care of patients with COVID-19 worked under difficult conditions. Sometimes they were provided personal protection equipment, and nurse staffing was sometimes in accordance with regulations. There occurred a significant exposure to stress, hazardous and arduous factors, and shortages of medical equipment.