A mixed methods study of an organization's approach to the COVID-19 health care crisis

BACKGROUND: Healthcare emergency can increase work-related stress and reduce nurses’ job satisfaction and quality of life. Managerial decisions and proactive interventions implemented to react to the emergency ensure the best patient outcomes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to verify whether a proactive organizational approach can limit nurses’ work-related stress and help preserve their job satisfaction and quality of life during a health emergency. METHODS: A longitudinal mixed methods study was conducted. Data were collected before and after the transformation into a SARS-CoV-2 Hospital and the implementation of organizational interventions. Focus groups were conducted to investigate quantitative data. FINDINGS: After the implementation of interventions and as the pandemic progressed, work-related stress decreased and job satisfaction and quality of life increased. DISCUSSION: Through proactive organization, even during an emergency, nurses are prepared for working, and work-related stress due to changes is reduced. Nurses are motivated and satisfied with their organization and management, and quality of life increases.