Challenges faced by nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review

BACKGROUND: Nurses have crucial roles in caring for patients and preventing the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, nurse managers have a prominent role during the pandemic, being responsible for the support and training of the nursing team to ensure quality care. While performing their duties in this time of fear and uncertainty, nurse managers face several challenges. AIM: To identify the challenges faced by nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: It is an integrative literature review whose search for articles was carried out in Medline, PubMed and Scopus. Qualitative content analysis was used. RESULTS: Twelve primary research studies were included. Four themes emerged: (1) Workplace demands, (2) Impacts on physical and psychological health, (3) Coping measures and resilience and (4) Recommendations to better support nurse managers in times of crisis. Nurse managers had their roles expanded or completely changed, and they experienced many pressures and stressors in the workplace. Nurse managers also faced physical and psychological health problems. Nurse managers drew on experience; management skills; social media applications; support from family, colleagues and hospital administrators; training, and continuing education to solve the problems that emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organisations should use collaborative, inclusive and participatory practices for better crisis management. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing the experiences of nurse managers during the pandemic period may help health institutions and policymakers better prepare for emergencies.