Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic–Induced Changes in Clinical Practicums on the Mental Health of Newly Graduated Nurses: Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nursing education worldwide, particularly clinical practicums, reducing opportunities for hands-on learning. Newly graduated nurses have reported increased stress, reduced confidence, and a higher risk of burnout. However, few studies have examined the long-term mental health effects of these disruptions. Objective: This study aimed to longitudinally examine how changes in clinical practicums during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of nurses who graduated in the academic year 2021-2022. Methods: A quantitative longitudinal study was conducted at 3 time points: June 2022, September 2022, and December 2022. This study assessed the nurses’ demographic data and the perceived impact on the students of disruptions in domain-specific and integration practicums, practicum formats, and clinical difficulty. Instruments used included the Nursing Job Stressor Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and adapted items for measuring intention to leave the profession. Participants were categorized into high- and low-impact groups. A 2-way ANOVA was used to examine mental health indicators over time. Results: Participants who perceived a greater impact of practicum disruptions reported substantially higher levels of clinical difficulty and stressors. In the September 2022 survey, those perceiving less impact from the integration practicum reported a stronger intention to continue nursing. In the December 2022 survey, emotional exhaustion, a core component of burnout, was significantly higher in the high-impact group. Conclusions: The perceived quality and extent of clinical practicum experiences significantly influenced the psychological burden and career intentions of newly graduated nurses. Disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have lasting effects on nurses’ mental health. These findings underscore the need for continuous workplace support and targeted mental health interventions for early-career nurses to ensure safe and sustainable nursing practice.