The celebration of nurses as heroes early in the pandemic has given way to blame as COVID-19 and its repercussions rage on. Nurses are grappling with unprecedented patient volume, acuity, staffing shortages, and supply chain disruption. Add to that confrontational attitudes and beliefs about the pandemic's consequences from patients, family, friends, members of the general public, and even healthcare leaders.1 Nurses in clinical settings are in the direct line of fire and commonly bear the brunt of criticism for the dysfunction, leading to increasing burnout and staff turnover.
Reflecting on news accounts, nurses were blamed for all manner of problems tied to conspiracy theories, fears of contagion, or frustration from delays in care. Recall the reports of nurses evicted from their housing because landlords alleged they would infect people with COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2.2 Nurses told of people accusing them of killing patients to maintain the illusion that COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 is real.2 Nurses share they must avoid public places while in uniform because they have experienced verbal abuse and threats.2 Added to these issues is the increasingly volatile nature of patient interactions with healthcare personnel, making workplace violence a significant factor driving nurses away from their job and their profession.3,4
The blame game does not stop with the public and patients. Working conditions that place high burdens on nurses in the pandemic climate without adequate support or resources can give rise to missed care, errors, and adverse events. The physical presence and clear backing by nurse leaders, including those in executive roles, can go far in helping staff cope better and feel supported.3 However, nurses say leaders who are disconnected from clinical reality erect more barriers and hold nurses on the frontlines accountable for worsening outcomes despite their best efforts.
Given the pervasive level of existing nursing shortages, healthcare leaders must take action now to improve the working environment so nurses feel that their leaders are standing with them. This is also a time for nursing organizations to develop media that educates the public about real-world conditions in healthcare, the critical role of nursing, and why valuing their efforts is vital to improving healthcare quality and saving lives.
Be well,
LINDA LASKOWSKI-JONES, MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CEN, NEA-BC, FAWM, FAAN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NURSING2022
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