Nursing 2021: Developing the Nursing Workforce for Covid-19 Recovery

Stephen Jones

Professional Lead for Mental HealthRoyal College of Nursing

Twitter: @SWJ_1

Quality in Nursing

The impact of the pandemic on nurses’

mental wellbeing

Burnout report

Moral distress

RCN Covid-19 impact experience survey

NHS CHECK survey

What is Moral Distress?

Moral distress occurs when youknow the ethically correct actionto take but you are constrainedfrom taking it.

(Jones, 2021)

Inadequate staffing levels

Inappropriate skill mix in your workplace

Working in end-of-life care

Value conflicts Challenging team dynamics

Duties conflicting with safety concerns

Unprecedented Distress

Sense check - moral distress

I felt anxious and concerned. I feel I could not give enough to my patients. I worried for their safety. I had so much to do and so little time. I stayed beyond my time (like I do most days) and still I feel like I failed a little. Although I did my very best.

Staff nurse, adult acute ward, 30-39 years old

Unprecedented Distress

Sense check - moral distress

I experienced great conflict in being asked to move staff to another area when the skill mix and staffing level of my own ward was sub optimal. This affected staff, myself and patients.

Senior charge nurse, adult acute ward, 40-49 years old

Unprecedented Distress

• Increased incidents of moral distress amongst nurses;

• Prolonged distress can lead to moral injury;

• Moral injury is not a mental illness – may increase risk of developing mental health problems.

Moral Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Moral injury and PTSD are not one of the same;

• PTSD is a formal psychiatric diagnosis;

• Terms such as PTSD should be avoided without appropriate diagnosis.

Veterans & Moral Injury

Quality in Nursing

Recovery from Covid-19: supporting the mental

wellbeing of staff

Principles for Return to Service -Staff recovery & patient safety

One Voice - Joint statement on health and care staff wellbeing.

Prevention

Take breaks and utilise annual leave

Educate workforce to recognise the risk of moral distress and injury

Effective clinical and managerial supervision

Support

Rest and Recuperation

R&R

Clear and accountable mechanisms in place for staff to raise concerns

Accountability

Access to formal and informal services that support mental health and wellbeing

Access

Quality in Nursing

Best practice in wellbeing and workplace culture to

improve retention

Quality in Nursing

Supporting nurse managers and executives’ mental wellbeing: key tips

What can we do?7477 5536

www.menti.com

If you think you’re experiencing moral injury or struggling with your

mental health, remember you’re not alone. Never be afraid or

ashamed to access formal and informal services that support your

mental health and wellbeing, including the RCN counselling service.

Thank you!

Referenced resources:

‘This isn’t about lack of resilience’ (Jones, 2021)

One Voice - Joint statement on health and care staff wellbeing (Kings Fund, 2021)

Principles for return to service – staff recovery and patient safety (RCN, 2021)

The courage of compassion (The Kings Fund, 2020)

RCN Workforce Standards (RCN, 2021)

COVID-19 (RCN, 2021)

Healthy Workplace Toolkit (RCN, 2021)