Implications of Work in the Covid Isolation Ward and the Central Emergency Department on the Life and Work of Nurses

Abstract

Nurses as the largest group of health workers are at the forefront of the health system’s response to the pandemic. in order to control the spread of infection in patients with suspected or confirmed infection, the need for the formation of covid isolation wards was emphasized. The situation required rapid adaptation to new working conditions, which affected the psychophysical condition and professional and private life of nurses who were actively involved in the care of patients with suspected or confirmed SArS-cov-2 infection. The aim of the paper is to identify the most common problems faced by nurses working in covid isolation wards and central emergency departments. based on the obtained results, the biggest problems in working with SArS-cov-2 positive patients were working in 12/24-hour shifts (82%), working in pro- tective clothing (74%) and lack of staff (88%). Also, problems were present due to the frequent reorganization of work and the absence of members of the already experienced team due to illness (76%). Work- ing with SArS-cov-2 suspected/positive patients negatively affected job satisfaction (46%) as well as did frequent isolation from family (58%). research has shown that working with SArS-cov-2 suspected/positive patients has changed the private lives of nurses (74%), and has negatively affected physical health (78%), as well as mental health (70%), of our respondents. despite difficult working conditions, satisfaction was shown with the knowledge and experience of working with highly contagious patients in isolation conditions (64%), strengthened sense of teamwork (66%) and meeting team members who are extremely dedicated and good colleagues (72%).