FEELINGS EXPERIENCED BY THE NURSING TEAM IN COVID-19 ICU AND ITS IMPACTS ON MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

Objective: To understand the feelings experienced by the nursing team of a COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), in the face of the novelty of the pandemic. Method: a descriptive, exploratory and cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach, following the COREQ guide, carried out with 12 nursing professionals from a COVID-19 ICU in a university hospital in southern Brazil, in 2022. The semi-structured interview technique was used and the Atlas.ti software was used to categorize the testimonies, with Minayo's thematic content analysis.Results: The participants highlighted feelings such as fear, insecurity and stress, as well as the need for training and professional qualification to work in critical patient care sectors. Conclusion: The care provided to patients affected by COVID-19 in the midst of the disease pandemic brought to professionals feelings related to anxiety, depression, and stress.