Changing Perception of Nurses during COVID-19: A Comparative Study on Leadership Behaviors, Meaning of Job and Meaningful Work

This study’s primary intent was to investigate the effect of extreme conditions, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic, by examining nurses’ perceptions of authentic leadership, meaningful work, and job meaning, and to compare this with the nurses’ perceptions from before the outbreak. In the study, 458 responses for both periods were analyzed and compared statistically by using the Mann–Whitney U test. The findings showed that nurses’ perception of line managers’ authenticity decreased during the outbreak. Therefore, in extreme conditions, leadership behaviors can be affected negatively by the context. During the outbreak, nurses attributed more meaning to their work. They felt more self-worth because of working for the greater good, and found greater meaning through the work during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to before the pandemic. The findings suggest that extreme conditions in a challenging environment can help nurses to find more meaning at work. For nurses, during the COVID-19 outbreak the purpose and meaning of their jobs remained the same as before the pandemic. Nursing requires different skills, talents, and opportunities for self-development, and it is challenging in nature.