Academic and Practice Experiences of Nursing Students During the Initial Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aim: To explore undergraduate and graduate nursing students’ academic and employment experiences as they faced the first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. Background: Little is known about the pandemic’s impact on nursing students who were also providing patient care during the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak. Many faced dramatically altered learning environments while also meeting the challenges of professional practice. Method: An electronic survey with an open-ended question was distributed to a convenience sample of students enrolled in a large public university; 194 responded. Data were collected from April through October of 2020. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the responses of 194 students. Results: Five themes illuminating students’ academic and practice experiences were revealed: battling the unknown, filling the void, education interrupted, experiencing moral distress, and taking an emotional toll. Severe mental anguish and emotional distress resulted from providing care during the pandemic. These perceptions may have long-term effects on professional role development, especially in novices and new graduates. Conclusion: Findings indicate a need for significant modifications in both academic and practice arenas. Faculty and clinical leaders must implement changes that will support student and staff preparedness during times of both normalcy and crisis.