Role of a Nurse in COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND The role of nurse changes as the health care is needed in the hospitals, society or community. Nurses are providing essential health care services throughout the health care system. In response to COVID-19 pandemic, the role of nurse changes to care or respond to the needs of the patients, their families and their caregivers. They also should take part in policies making, doing procedures and taking care of necessary supply of the material and equipment in the hospitals. All over the world nurses are demonstrating their kindness, care, courage, values and professional responsibility as nursing personnel. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in many institutions / organizations, there was a focus on nurses, mental health, physical health and wellbeing such as workload, anxiety, anger, irritability, burnout etc. They have to follow the rules, regulations, ethics and standard of nursing. However, while working in the isolation units or intensive care unit with COVID-19 patients, the nurse has to decide how much quality care they can provide to the patients while taking care of themselves. Hospital authorities have the responsibility to provide optimal work environments for all staff involved in the care of COVID-19 patients and health care professionals must follow the protocols that protect their ethical rights as a health care professional. In a 2018 policy brief, the American Nurses Association, said "nurse leaders are the key to preventing and containing widespread illnesses. They have the skills and education to develop coordinated global networking and properly identifying of infectious diseases".