Unbreakable in Crisis: A Systematic Review Exploring Nurse Resilience and Contributing Factors During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) placed an unprecedented burden on the global healthcare system, severely affecting the physical and mental health of healthcare workers, particularly nurses. Nurses faced immense workloads, increased infection risks, uncertainty, and public scrutiny. Despite these challenges, nurses were lauded for their dedication and resilience in confronting the pandemic. Many experienced mortality, morbidity, and post-COVID sequelae. This review integrates psychological resilience literature from 2020 to 2022, utilizing Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review method. A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on how nurses demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 crisis. Most studies reported a moderate level of resilience, with a mean score of 62.54. Factors such as positive acceptance of change, trust in personal judgment, perceived competence, and spiritual influences were positively associated with resilience, whereas burnout, anxiety, and depressive thoughts negatively impacted it. Resilience was found to mediate the relationships between variables like perceived stress, emotional exhaustion, and quality of life. The literature suggests that healthcare administrations should foster a healthy work environment, maintain an optimistic outlook, and establish strong connections with frontline staff to mitigate the pandemic's impact. Providing supportive environments, resilience training, and mental health interventions will be crucial in enhancing resilience for future crises.