Caring through crisis: The professional quality of pediatric nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study described pediatric nurses' professional quality of life during COVID-19 and explored demographic/clinical practice factors independently associated with compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO), and secondary traumatic stress (STS). The Relational Caring Complexity Theory was used. This study employed a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design to describe professional quality of life of pediatric nurses (demographic questionnaire and ProQOL 5 measure) working during the COVID-19 pandemic. From 150 pediatric nurses, the mean scores were CS 40.8 (± 4.8), BO 22.6 (± 4.7), and STS 22.8 (± 5.8). Results of the multiple regression revealed that two variables, deployed to the same unit versus not deployed (β = 2.424, p = .02) and currently practicing in perioperative/ambulation settings versus intensive care (β = −0.272, p = .03), were independently associated with CS. Deployed to the same unit versus not deployed was found to be independently and significantly associated with BO (β = −0.28, p = .005). The number of patients cared for with COVID-19 (β = 0.196, p = .03) was significantly associated with STS. While the overall response was positive, these nurses were more likely to experience BO when deployed to the same area (likely a COVID-19 adult unit) and STS as they cared for more patients with COVID-19. Leaders should be aware of the impact of caring in times of crisis. Decentralized staffing may help meet emergent needs on a particular shift, but ensuring deployed nurses are well-supported is vital. •Pediatric nurses demonstrated dedication during COVID-19, sometimes requiring caring for new patient populations in different settings.•Compassion satisfaction and burnout in pediatric nurses were associated with deployment to the same unit, often caring for adults with COVID-19.•Compassion satisfaction was also associated with working in an intensive care unit setting.•Higher secondary traumatic stress was seen with those caring for more patients with COVID-19.•These current findings can support leaders making decisions during future healthcare crises.