Abstract

ICU nurses faced numerous demands and adversities during the COVID-19 pandemic that significantly impacted their well-being. Developing strategies to promote resilience was crucial for ICU nurses to overcome these workplace adversities. The purpose of this study was to explore the strategies used by ICU nurses to promote their resilience and cope with the additional stressors brought on by the pandemic. Two theories provided the overarching theoretical framework which guided this study. These are Polk's middle-range theory of resilience A Focused Ethnographical approach provided the overarching framework for this research project. ICU nurses working in adult ICUs who had cared for COVID-19 patients during the pandemic were recruited using a purposive sampling technique and semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with each participant online via Zoom. A total of 12 participants were interviewed. Data saturation was achieved after the 11th interview, but one additional interview was conducted to confirm the initial analysis and emerging themes. A systematic approach as proposed by Roper and Shapira was used to analyze the interviews. The exploration of strategies used to cope with the stressors and to promote resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the identification of three categories: (a) changes in coping strategies to enhance resilience during COVID-19; (b) individual resilience strategies; and (c) workplace strategies. The individual strategies were classified into subcategories: physical health-focused strategies and mental health-focused strategies. The findings of our study suggest that physical and mental health focused strategies should be emphasized in interventions aimed at promoting resilience in ICU nurses and that hospital administrators should involve nurses in the development and implementation of support programs. The findings of this study underscore the need for and healthcare institutions to prioritize interventions aimed at promoting resilience and providing adequate support for healthcare workers during times of crisis and contribute to the ongoing dialogue around the importance of supporting healthcare workers' mental health and well-being.

Notes

Presenter notes available in attached slide deck.

Reference list included in attached slide deck.

Description

The purpose of this research study was to explore the strategies used by ICU nurses to promote their resilience and cope with additional stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Author Details

Teenu Xavier, PHD, RN; Rebecca C. Lee, PhD

Sigma Membership

Beta Iota

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Ethnography

Research Approach

Qualitative Research

Keywords:

Critical Care Nurses, Psychological Resilience, Stress Management, Job Stress, COVID-19 Pandemic

Conference Name

Creating Healthy Work Environments

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Washington, DC, USA

Conference Year

2024

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Date of Issue

2026-02-20

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A Qualitative Research Study Exploring ICU Nurses' Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Washington, DC, USA

ICU nurses faced numerous demands and adversities during the COVID-19 pandemic that significantly impacted their well-being. Developing strategies to promote resilience was crucial for ICU nurses to overcome these workplace adversities. The purpose of this study was to explore the strategies used by ICU nurses to promote their resilience and cope with the additional stressors brought on by the pandemic. Two theories provided the overarching theoretical framework which guided this study. These are Polk's middle-range theory of resilience A Focused Ethnographical approach provided the overarching framework for this research project. ICU nurses working in adult ICUs who had cared for COVID-19 patients during the pandemic were recruited using a purposive sampling technique and semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with each participant online via Zoom. A total of 12 participants were interviewed. Data saturation was achieved after the 11th interview, but one additional interview was conducted to confirm the initial analysis and emerging themes. A systematic approach as proposed by Roper and Shapira was used to analyze the interviews. The exploration of strategies used to cope with the stressors and to promote resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the identification of three categories: (a) changes in coping strategies to enhance resilience during COVID-19; (b) individual resilience strategies; and (c) workplace strategies. The individual strategies were classified into subcategories: physical health-focused strategies and mental health-focused strategies. The findings of our study suggest that physical and mental health focused strategies should be emphasized in interventions aimed at promoting resilience in ICU nurses and that hospital administrators should involve nurses in the development and implementation of support programs. The findings of this study underscore the need for and healthcare institutions to prioritize interventions aimed at promoting resilience and providing adequate support for healthcare workers during times of crisis and contribute to the ongoing dialogue around the importance of supporting healthcare workers' mental health and well-being.