Nurse managers' experience during the COVID‐19 pandemic in China: A qualitative study

AIMS: The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of female new nurse managers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. DESIGN: This was a phenomenological study, and qualitative descriptive analysis was used. METHODS: New nurse managers were defined as new nurse managers with less than 3 years of management experience in this study. During November and December of 2021, 18 female new nurse managers were interviewed face‐to‐face with a semi‐structured interview guide in three municipal hospitals. The study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines for evaluating qualitative research reports. Data analysis was performed using Colaizzi's seven‐step method. RESULTS: Four main themes and 10 sub‐themes were extracted from the collected data. The four major themes were as follows: (1) a shift in stress; (2) work‐related physical and psychological discomfort; (3) reflection on the cause; (4) coping and struggles. CONCLUSIONS: New nurse managers were experiencing great stress and exhaustion in their roles. It is important that they are helped to handle situations. Providing them with readily accessible support, addressing their psychosocial needs and addressing exhaustion is necessary. Considering their short management time, the hospital should provide adequate support in human, financial and material areas and provide training to help new nurse managers better adapt to their new roles. In addition, nurse directors should create a culture of mutual respect, identify workplace bullying and create a harmonious and cooperation‐oriented work environment for new nurse managers. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.