Abstract

Positive social support, realistic job demand, and appropriate levels of control over their responsibilities can mitigate empathy fatigue and burnout among nurses, increase quality care for patients, and lay the foundation for teams to embrace challenges during crises. The COVID-19 pandemic stretched nurses in all these areas, leading many nurses to contemplate changing fields. Failure to address and embrace the difficulties that nurses face during such crises can result in loss of nurses and impact the entire healthcare industry.

The present study used one-to-one interviews to glean insider perspectives of changes in job demand, control, and support nurses experienced as they showed up to work in COVID-19 units. Results showed that the bridge to overcoming daily battles and stresses came primarily through supportive education and skill building, emotional support from peers, and venting after a challenging event.

Keywords: social support, emotional support, informational support, moral injury, Demand-Control-Support Model

Thesis Completion

2022

Semester

Summer

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Miller, Ann

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Nicholson School of Communication and Media

Degree Program

Communication and Conflict

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Release Date

8-15-2022

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Communication Commons

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