Nurse experiences and perspectives with missed nursing care during COVID‐19: A qualitative study

AimThis study aimed to determine clinical nurse and nurse manager perspectives on missed nursing care (MNC) during the COVID‐19 pandemic.DesignThis study utilized a qualitative exploratory descriptive design.MethodsData were obtained through focus groups and virtual interviews. Purposive sampling was used to select nurse and nurse manager participants in COVID‐19 units and the Emergency Department in one large healthcare organization in the northeastern United States of America.ResultsA total of 15 nurses and nurse managers participated in the study. Results revealed five categories: medication delivery, turning patients, double checks, communication and rapport, and patient surveillance.ConclusionsA variety of factors contributed to the perceptions and experiences of MNC of COVID‐19 patients during the early stage of the pandemic. The COVID‐19 crisis put additional and unparalleled pressure on a strained nursing workforce. Hospital leaders are responsible for ensuring their frontline nurses have the resources they need to feel supported in their roles regardless of the presenting circumstances.Implications for the ProfessionNurse leaders should employ evidence‐based strategies such as promoting and championing teamwork to support staff and reduce incidences of MNC during crises. Our current work may serve as a basis for informing future revisions of pre‐pandemic measurement tools when applied in a pandemic‐specific context.Reporting MethodsThis manuscript adheres to the standards for reporting qualitative research (SRQR); a synthesis of recommendations.Public ContributionThere was not patient or public contribution for this study.