Effects of work conditions and organisational strategies on nurses' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Li, Tin-May; Pien, Li-Chung; Kao, Ching-Chiu; Kubo, Tomohide; Cheng, Wan-Ju

AIMS: This study aims to examine coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-related work factors for adverse effects on the mental health and whether organisational strategies attenuate these effects. BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased work burden and mental health risks for nurses. METHODS: A total of 1499 Taiwanese full-time nurses completed a web-based questionnaire between July and December 2020. Pandemic-related work conditions, namely, increased working hours, caring for COVID-19 patients, occupational stigma and redeployment, were assessed. Organisational strategies to combat pandemic-related work stressors including compensation to workers and adequate protection equipment were surveyed. Outcome measures were intention to leave, burnout and depression assessed using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Redeployment, increased working hours and occupational stigma were associated with adverse mental health and intention to leave in logistic regression analysis. Caring for COVID-19 patients was negatively associated with depression. Adequate compensation for workers modified the association between redeployment and burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Pandemic-related work conditions were associated with adverse mental health and intention to leave. Organisational strategies attenuated the adverse impact of the pandemic. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Efforts to decrease stigma and organisational strategies including compensation for workers and adequate protection equipment provision should be adopted to improve nurses' health during a pandemic.