Pandemic taking its toll on the mental health of BC nurses

A new study from the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) and UBC is highlighting how much the last seven months have affected our province’s healthcare workers.

There’s been quite a mental strain attributed to working as a nurse in acute, long-term care and community based setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study surveyed 3,676 nurses from around the province and 41% of them said they suffered from severe depression, up 10% from a similar survey conducted in late 2019.

In addition, 60% said they suffered from emotional exhaustion, up from 56% in that late 2019 survey.

Christine Sorenson, president of the BCNU, said that nurses were being greatly impacted by the nursing shortage even before the pandemic, suffering from significant burnout due to high workloads.

Unsurprisingly, everything they’ve had to deal with over the past six to seven months has amplified that.

“This study offers a look at the personal and professional sacrifices nurses have made over the last six months, and the toll it is taking on them,” she explained.

“Now, it’s more important than ever that mental health support is provided for nurses and all health-care workers as they brace for a COVID-19 surge this fall while attempting to meet targets in the government’s surgery restart program.”

The study also found that COVID-19 has placed a heavy burden on these frontline healthcare workers, as 80% are fearful that they will contract the virus at work, while 86% think they’re going to bring it home to their loved ones.

“As a nurse and a researcher, I’m very concerned to see more nurses reporting higher levels of poor mental health,” said Farinaz Havaei from the UBC school of nursing.

She added that this type of issue “can directly affect their ability to provide effective care, if not resolved in a timely manner.”

To see all of the preliminary findings from this study, click this link.