Ten percent of nursing staff still struggling to recover from Covid-19 pandemic

Nurses and care workers are still suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic five years after it took place. Around ten percent stated that they have not sufficiently recovered from working during this period, Verpleegkundigen & Verzorgenden Nederland (V&VN) reported after a survey had been conducted.

Over 1,400 nurses, healthcare workers, and nursing specialists took part in the survey. Of the surveyed, a quarter stated to have needed physical or mental help after working during the Covid-19 months. Of this group, 43 percent said they were not able to recover enough from it.

V&VN chairwoman Bianca Buurman has said that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are still noticeable today. “Healthcare professionals have been working at the peak of their abilities for a long time. They saw a lot of people die, which had a huge emotional impact. Some became sick for lengthy periods of time and left the care sector.”

A majority of 54 percent of the surveyed indicated that they are not sure that the organization they work for is doing enough to be able to handle another pandemic. “I am not pleased with this,” said Buurman. “Nurses and health care workers should be involved in this process! By the employer and the government.”

In addition, Buurman said that a nurse should be a part of the Outbreak Management Team of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. “This is very much needed because this person would be suited to being the voice of representation for nurses and healthcare workers when it comes to preparing for a possible new pandemic.”