Surveys provide clues to pandemic’s effect on nursing profession

Recent surveys suggest the COVID-19 pandemic produced some positive changes to nursing practice as well as conditions leading to increased burnout. A report in the May issue of the American Journal of Nursing highlighted several of these including greater interprofessional collaboration, increased leadership opportunities, the removal of some practice barriers and the expanded use of telehealth by nurses. The survey data, collected in August 2020 before the winter surge in COVID-19 cases, indicated more nurses were planning to retire than in the prior year. High numbers of nurses also reported decreased career satisfaction.