MENTAL HEALTH AND DILEMMAS FACED BY NURSING PROFESSIONALS IN A RESOURCE-LIMITED SETTING

Abstract

Objective The study aims to understand the dilemmas and impacts on the mental health of nursing professionals resulting from the depletion of healthcare resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study. Thirteen nursing professionals working in the Emergency Department of a public hospital in southern Brazil were interviewed. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis based on Minayo’s framework. Results The impacts of the reallocation of scarce resources on the mental health of nursing staff became evident through occupational stress intensified by work overload, sleep disturbances, fear, feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and distress, all exacerbated by the ethical dilemmas faced in this scenario. Conclusion It is essential that the relevant agencies and managers show greater care for frontline professionals by investing in their training and occupational safety, particularly with regard to mental health and ethical dilemmas.