Using Caring Theory to Guide Application of Psychological PPE to Support Graduate Nurse Wellbeing in a Pandemic and Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives worldwide, including students pursuing secondary education. This disruption caused increased worry, anxiety, and overall stress in students. Graduate-level nursing students also not only experienced stress related to educational disruptions but also due to work and home life upheaval as well. Faculty were challenged to support students in reducing educational stress and anxiety. While the Institute for Healthcare Improvement introduced the concept of ‘Psychological Personal Protective Equipment’ (PPE) to support the mental well-being of healthcare workers, this article explores how faculty implemented psychological PPE in graduate-level education using Swanson's Theory of Caring as the theoretical framework during the pandemic and how these constructs can continue to support student wellbeing in today's challenging environment. •Graduate-level nursing students are negatively affected by significant stress.•Swanson's Theory of Caring and psychological PPE can be used as a framework to support students' wellbeing.•Specific actions by nursing faculty may be needed to support graduate-level students and reduce stress.