Authors

Laura Macià Casòliva1, Clara Selva Olid2, Carlota Riera Claret3

Position

1Máster Oficial en Simulación Clínica. Doctoranda en Enfermería. Althaia. Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa. Fundació Privada. Barcelona (España)2Doctora en Psicología social. Estudios de Psicología y Ciencias de la Educación. Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC). Barcelona (España)3Doctora en Psicologia social. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud de Manresa. Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya. Barcelona (España)

Contact address

Laura Macià i Casòliva. Fundació Privada Althaia. C/ Dr. Joan Soler, 1-3. 08243 Manresa, Barcelona (España)

Contact email: lmacia@althaia.cat

Abstract

Objective: to explore the empowerment experience of nurses at a Semi-critical Care Unit created during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Fundación Althaia hospital, and to understand the influential factors.
Method: a qualitative phenomenological study conducted from March to May 2020. The 25 nurses who had worked in the unit for continuous periods of at least two weeks were included. There was purposive sampling of different demographic and occupational profiles until data saturation. Participant observation was conducted for eight weeks, and semistructured interviews after unit closure. The latent contents were analysed with support by the Atlas Ti software, version 8.4, and investigator triangulation.
Results: eight nurses were interviewed; 37 codes were determined, distributed in nine groups and two final subjects. They reported an increase in empowerment. The driving factors for this were identified as: teamwork, learning, awareness of the holistic vision of Nursing, impact on organization, social and institutional recognition, and moral duty. The hindering factors found were: initial lack of knowledge, material and structural resources, and the institutional support received.
Conclusions: structural, psychological and relational factors were identified as having impact on nursing empowerment. These findings can contribute to improving the organization of health services and nursing care in similar situations.

Keywords:

empowerment; nursing; COVID-19; Self-efficacy; qualitative research

Versión en Español

Título:

Empoderamiento de las enfermeras durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en una unidad de nueva creación