Factors associated with nurses' willingness to participate in care of patients with COVID-19: A survey in China

Abstract

Aim: The research aims to assess nurses’ willingness to participate in care of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China and to identify its associated factors. Background: Along with the increasing number of infections, the world has paid widespread attention to COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a convenience sampling method that included a demographics questionnaire and the Nurses' Perceived Professional Benefits Questionnaire. The survey was distributed to 1,787 nurses from 36 hospitals in China. Results: In total, 1,176 questionnaires were usable for this research. 92.79% of nurses were willing to participate in care of patients with COVID-19. Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses were less willing to participate, while surgical nurses were more willing to participate. In addition, nurses with high positive professional perception scores were more willing to participate than those with low scores. Conclusion: The vast majority of nurses were willing to participate in care of patients with COVID-19 in China. Surgical nurses and nurses with positive professional perceptions are more likely to be willing to participate in treatment. Implications for nursing management: To increase nurses’ willingness to participate in care of patients with COVID-19, improving the sense of perceived professional benefits, offering salary and offering paid sick leave for nursing staff are effective ways. In addition, raising the awareness of infectious diseases and increased pre-disaster training during infectious diseases is critical.