Growing through crisis: Qualitative nursing perspectives of posttraumatic growth after the pandemic
Sabrina Padilla, Simon Paul P. Navarro, Allison A. NorfulBackground
Nurses working through the COVID-19 pandemic experienced moral, ethical, and psychological trauma. Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) is an increasingly recognized recovery phenomena following highly traumatic circumstances. Few qualitative studies explore PTG in nurses during the pandemic.
Research aim
This study investigated (1) the context and nature of trauma experienced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) nurses’ responses to these traumatic experiences, and (3) whether the core dimensions of posttraumatic growth were present or absent, including how these dimensions manifested in nurses’ experiences.
Research design and methods
Using a qualitative descriptive design, one-on-one interviews were conducted with participants using an open-ended interview guide informed by the PTG conceptual model.
Participants and research context
17 clinical nurses from two campuses within a single academic medical center network in New York City were interviewed.
Ethical Considerations
This study was conducted with ethical approval (IRB protocol #23-04025921) from the Weill Cornell Medicine IRB, and informed verbal consent was obtained prior to each interview.
Findings
Following inductive analysis, three emergent themes were identified: (1) Trauma Experienced; (2) Post Trauma Period; and (3) Enduring Adaptations Following Trauma. Following deductive analysis, four of the five PTG model dimensions were endorsed by participants: Appreciation for Life; New Possibilities; Relating to Others; Personal Strength. No participants identified spiritual growth as an outcome of their experience working through the pandemic.
Conclusions
Nurses that worked through the pandemic experienced high psychological, moral and ethical stress. Despite the highly challenging and traumatic circumstances, nurses demonstrated remarkable capacity for growth through an evolved appreciation for life and professional purpose. Two primary protective factors emerged including the clinical family and active interdisciplinary engagement.