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. 2024 Jul;31(3):e12647.
doi: 10.1111/nin.12647. Epub 2024 Jun 9.

Answering the call: Experiences of nurses of color during COVID-19

Kyla F Woodward  1 , Mayumi Willgerodt  1 , Elaine Walsh  1 , Susan Johnson  2
Affiliations

Answering the call: Experiences of nurses of color during COVID-19

Kyla F Woodward et al. Nurs Inq. 2024 Jul.

Abstract

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, issues such as high job demands, burnout, and turnover continue to influence the nursing workforce, with heavier impacts to marginalized groups. Understanding the work and life contexts of nurses of color can help guide strategies for workplace equity and meaningful support. This qualitative study explored the experiences of nurses of color in the United States during the pandemic, focusing on feelings about the profession and job decisions. The overarching theme was "answering the call," with subthemes of "COVID shone a light," "being consumed by COVID," and "is it worth it?" Participants shared how their racial identities shaped their perceptions and job decisions in positive and negative ways, noting how racism impacted many facets of their work and added to the stressors felt in the workplace and the community. Findings provide insight into the underrepresented perspectives of nurses of color and suggest strategies to eliminate racism in nursing.

Keywords: job decisions; nursing workforce; organizational behavior; qualitative approaches; racism; self‐care; work environment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The Dynamic Model of RN Job Outcomes Note. From “A contemporary model for improving RN job outcomes”, by Woodward K, Willgerodt M, Walsh E, Johnson S. Nurse Leader. 2023, 21(4).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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